Nalchik court sentences military man to prison term for absence from duty

Ministry of Defense serviceman Koshokov was sentenced by a military court in Nalchik to two years in prison for being absent from his unit for less than a month.

As "Kavkazsky Uzel" wrote, on September 24, 2022, parts 2.1, 3.1 and 5 of Article 337 on unauthorized abandonment of a unit or place of service during mobilization were introduced into the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. The amendments provide for imprisonment for up to 10 years. Tightening of laws after the announcement of mobilization led to harsher sentences for absence from a military unit.

Russian Defense Ministry serviceman Koshokov was accused of being absent from duty without good reason from May 20 to June 16; a criminal case was opened under Part 3.1 of Article 337 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.

On June 16, he voluntarily arrived at the military commandant's office in Mozdok, and before that he spent time at home. The court took into account the soldier's remorse, but stated that he "committed a serious crime against military service, negatively affecting the performance of daily combat training tasks assigned to the military unit."

Koshkov was sentenced to two years in a general regime penal colony; the sentence was handed down on August 27 and can be appealed, the court's press service reported on its page on the VKontakte social network. The convicted man's name was not indicated in the press release, but it was emphasized that he left the unit without permission during the mobilization period.

As of 16:51 Moscow time, information on the website of the Nalchik Garrison Military Court in the "Court Proceedings" section is temporarily unavailable.

Recall that on September 21, 2022, Vladimir Putin announced a partial mobilization. On October 28 of the same year, the Minister of Defense reported to the president on its completion, but no corresponding decree followed. Lawyers have concluded that a presidential decree is not needed to complete partial mobilization, Putin's press secretary explained.