Russian accused of being ‘mercenary’ for Armenia sentenced to 10 years in prison by Baku court
POLITICS
22.07.2021 | 14:26The trial of Russian citizen Eduard Dubakov, who is accused by Azerbaijan of participating in the Artsakh war as a mercenary on the Armenian side, has ended in the Baku Court of Grave Crimes.
Dubakov, who had pleaded not guilty, made his last statement in court.
The judge sentenced Dubakov to 10 years in prison. He will serve his sentence in a general regime colony. In addition, Dubakov will be deported from Azerbaijan after serving his sentence.
Dubakov was charged under Azerbaijani Crimianl Code Articles 214․-3․1 (terrorism, financing terrorism), 218․2 (participation in a criminal organization, group), 318․2 (illegal crossing of the state border).
Dubakov denies all the accusations, calling them fabricated, and claiming his confession was given under pressure. He has also said that in back in 2018, he was recruited by the Azerbaijani special services in Belarus and was instructed to visit Artsakh. He said in January 2021, he was summoned to Baku to get paid and new instructions, but was arrested instead.