A soldier was convicted in Kabardino-Balkaria for being absent from his unit.

The Nalchik Garrison Military Court sentenced serviceman Alberd Khapov to one year in prison for failing to report to his military unit.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot," on September 24, 2022, parts 2.1, 3.1, and 5 of Article 337, concerning unauthorized abandonment of a unit or place of service during mobilization, were amended to the Russian Criminal Code. The amendments provide for imprisonment for up to 10 years. Tighter legislation following the announcement of mobilization led to harsher sentences for absence from a military unit or desertion.

The Nalchik Garrison Military Court sentenced a serviceman named Khapov, finding him guilty of committing a crime under Part 3.1 of Article 337 of the Russian Criminal Code, the court's press service reported on its VKontakte page on June 18.

According to the court, Khapov failed to report to his military unit on March 5 without a valid excuse. On April 2, Khapov was hospitalized in Nalchik. He subsequently voluntarily reported to the city's military investigative department. "From March 5 to April 2, Khapov spent his time at his own discretion at his place of residence," the court said.

The defendant admitted his guilt in court and expressed remorse. The court sentenced him to one year in prison. Khapov will serve his sentence in a general regime penal colony.

According to the criminal case file on the court's website, Alberd Khapov's case was submitted for consideration on June 8, and on June 18, Judge Pyatov delivered a guilty verdict with the participation of lawyer Karginova.

As a reminder, on September 21, 2022, Vladimir Putin announced partial mobilization. On October 28 of that 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 end partial mobilization, Putin's press secretary explained.

Moreover, on December 12, 2023, a military court in Maykop, in its verdict against a mobilized soldier who left his unit in June 2023, emphasized that "a partial mobilization was declared in the Russian Federation, which was not completed at the time the crime was committed."