A Russian courtroom sentenced a 72-year-old American to just about seven years in jail Monday after he was convicted on fees of preventing as a mercenary in Ukraine.
Investigators alleged throughout a closed-door trial that Stephen Hubbard of Michigan was paid $1,000 a month to enlist in a Ukrainian protection unit in Izyum, a metropolis within the jap a part of the nation, the place he had been residing since 2014, in keeping with Reuters.
The information company cited Russian investigators and state media as saying that Hubbard was educated and given weapons and ammunition after he allegedly signed up for the mercenary unit in February 2022. Two months later, he reportedly was detained by Russian troopers after which pleaded responsible to fees of preventing as a mercenary.
Hubbard was sentenced to 6 years and 10 months in jail. He’s the primary American identified to have been convicted on fees of preventing as a mercenary within the Ukrainian battle, in keeping with the Related Press.
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Stephen Hubbard, a U.S. citizen accused of preventing as a mercenary for Ukraine in opposition to Russia, is seen inside an enclosure for defendants as he attends a courtroom listening to in Moscow, on Monday, Oct. 7. (Reuters/Moscow Metropolis Courtroom Press Service)
The fees carry a possible sentence of 15 years, however prosecutors requested that his age be taken into consideration alongside together with his request for forgiveness, Russian information experiences mentioned.
Final month, Hubbard’s sister Patricia Hubbard Fox and one other relative informed Reuters that he held pro-Russian views and was unlikely to have fought in battle at his age.
Russian state media is saying Hubbard plans to attraction the decision. The U.S. State Division didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark from Fox Information Digital.
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Hubbard was sentenced Monday to just about seven years in jail. He reportedly plans to attraction. (Moscow Metropolis Courtroom Press Service through AP)
A courtroom within the Russian metropolis of Voronezh additionally sentenced American Robert Gilman on Monday to seven years and one month for allegedly assaulting regulation enforcement officers whereas serving a sentence for an additional assault.
Marine veteran Robert Gilman attends a courtroom listening to in Voronezh, Russia, on Oct. 7. (Reuters/Vladimir Lavrov)
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Gilman, a U.S. Marine veteran, was arrested in 2022 for inflicting a disturbance whereas intoxicated on a passenger prepare, after which allegedly assaulted a police officer whereas in custody, Russian information experiences say. He’s already serving a 3 1/2-year sentence on that cost.
State information company RIA-Novosti mentioned that final 12 months, he assaulted a jail inspector throughout a cell verify, then hit an official of the Investigative Committee, ensuing within the new sentence.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
