The serviceman was convicted in Nalchik for failing to report to his unit.
The Nalchik garrison military court sentenced serviceman Rustam Khushtov to five years in a penal colony, finding him guilty of evading military service.
As reported by "Caucasian Knot", on September 24, 2022, parts 2.1, 3.1, and 5 of Article 337 on desertion or leaving a unit during mobilization were introduced into the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. The amendments provide for imprisonment for up to 10 years. The tightening of legislation after the announcement of mobilization led to harsher sentences for absence from military units or desertion.
Vladimir Putin announced partial mobilization on September 21, 2022. On October 28 of the same year, the Minister of Defense reported to the president about its completion, but no corresponding decree followed. Lawyers concluded that a presidential decree is not needed to complete partial mobilization, explained Putin's press secretary. At the same time, on December 12, 2023, a military court in Maykop emphasized in the sentence of a mobilized individual who left his unit in June 2023 that "partial mobilization has been declared in the Russian Federation, which was not completed at the time of the crime."
The Nalchik garrison military court issued a sentence to a serviceman with the last name Khushtov, finding him guilty of committing a crime under part 5 of Article 337 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation , reports the court's press service on its page on "VKontakte".
The court established that Khushtov did not report to his military unit in the Stavropol region at the appointed time on December 1, 2025, that is, "during the period of mobilization."
On June 29, 2026, Khushtov voluntarily arrived at the military commandant's office in Mozdok in North Ossetia, and from December 1, 2025, to June 29, 2026, he spent time at his place of residence at his discretion.
During the court hearing, Khushtov admitted his guilt and expressed regret for his actions.
The court found the defendant guilty of failing to report for service for more than one month. Khushtov was sentenced to five years in a general regime correctional colony.
The court's press service did not specify the name of the convicted individual, but the criminal case file on the court's website lists Rustam Khushtov. The case was submitted to the court on August 6, and the sentence was issued on August 12.
"Caucasian Knot" also reported that the Nalchik garrison military court sentenced serviceman Yusup Yedokov to six years in a penal colony, finding him guilty of failing to report to his military unit.