12 Convicted for Sabotage and Terrorism in Chita
In a significant ruling, the 2nd Eastern District Military Court in Chita has convicted 12 individuals for their involvement in a series of sabotage acts aimed at undermining Russia's economic security and defense capabilities. The court found the group guilty of 13 acts of sabotage and preparing for arson against multi-role fighters stationed at a military unit in Primorsky Krai. The court's press service reported that these individuals, who formed a criminal group under the direction of an unknown organizer, were implicated in attacks on strategically important infrastructure across Moscow and Krasnoyarsk Krai.
The defendants, identified as Begoyan, Shekhter, Nizhegorodov, Elizarov, Turtugeshev, Kusonets, Igamberdiev, Kirillov, Zeltsev, Demeshov, Nematulloev, and Volobuev, along with accomplice Nifontov, were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 4 to 23 years. The most severe sentences were handed to four members who received 19 to 23 years, with the initial years to be spent in prison before transferring to a maximum-security penal colony. The group was responsible for sabotaging critical infrastructure, including a Russian Railways locomotive and power supply systems essential for public services.
Broader Implications of Recent Sentences
The convictions in Chita are part of a broader crackdown on individuals accused of supporting or carrying out acts against the state. Recently, the Amur Regional Court sentenced a railway depot employee to 13 years for transferring funds to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine, marking a significant case of high treason. This individual was found guilty of making multiple transactions for military supplies, including drones and ammunition.
Additionally, another Russian citizen, Vladimir Malina, received a 25-year sentence for setting fire to railway relay cabinets and plotting further attacks on government properties. These cases highlight the ongoing challenges faced by Russian authorities in combating domestic terrorism and sabotage, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The Federal Security Service (FSB) has also reported the arrest of 39 pro-Ukrainian radicals, some of whom were minors, indicating a troubling trend of youth involvement in violent acts against the state.
