The Moscow Metropolis Court docket sentenced US citizen Stephen Hubbard to 6 years and 10 months in jail on Monday after he was convicted of collaborating as a mercenary for the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) in opposition to the Russian army.
Hubbard was charged underneath a piece within the Russian Felony Code that includes mercenary participation. A Russian prosecutor asked the court docket to condemn Hubbard to seven years whereas the trial was run behind closed doorways. It’s customary in Russian proceedings to defend the general public from high-profile instances. Throughout the investigation, it was decided that Hubbard started dwelling in Ukraine in 2014 and later fought alongside the AFU till his arrest within the spring of 2022.
Patricia Hubbard Fox, Hubbard’s sister, advised Reuters that she believes his brother’s age makes it unrealistic for him to interact in fight. She remained uncertain of Hubbard’s alleged confession of guilt that was reported in Russian media.
In a US Division of State press briefing on Monday, Division Spokesperson Matthew Miller was requested concerning the Division’s data of Hubbard’s sentencing. Miller explained:
Now we have restricted data accessible about this case as a result of Russia has refused to grant consular entry. I’ll say a pair issues concerning the case, although. The person is 72 years previous, has been held in jail for 2 years. He was arrested in Ukraine, not Russia.
Earlier in August, a number of detained Individuals and a few Russian political prisoners had been released as a part of a serious prisoner swap between the US and Russia. Amongst these freed had been Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Road Journal journalist who was sentenced to 16 years in jail for spying, and Ilya Yashin, some of the well-known Russian opposition leaders, being jailed for his anti-war place.
The US Embassy in Russia has described political prisoners as “bargaining chips,” condemning Russia for “utilizing Americans to realize its political targets” amidst Gershkovich’s trial over the summer season.
In an announcement launched by President Joe Biden after the August prisoner change, Biden promised, “Nonetheless, too many households are struggling and separated from their family members, and I’ve no larger precedence as President than bringing these Individuals residence.”
Following Hubbard’s sentencing, it’s unclear whether or not will probably be doable to attraction the court docket’s choice and if that route will probably be pursued by Hubbard’s lawyer. Spokesperson Miller has indicated the Division of State will proceed urgent for consular entry.
Source / Picture: jurist.org