Russia jails Colombian for nine years after convicting him of fighting as a mercenary for Ukraine
PHOTO CAPTION: Illustrative photo — Russian law enforcement officers are seen in Moscow, Russia, August 18, 2023. REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov
MOSCOW (Reuters) - A Russian court has sentenced Miguel Angel Cardenas Montilla, a Colombian who fought on the side of Ukraine, to nine years in prison for fighting against Russian forces as a mercenary, Russian investigators said on Thursday.
Russia's Investigative Committee said in a statement that Cardenas Montilla, 33, who previously served in the Colombian police, arrived in Ukraine in April 2024 and took part in military operations against Russia after receiving military training.
It said he had admitted his guilt, something Reuters could not independently confirm.
Tens of thousands of Russian troops swept into Ukraine in February 2022 after President Vladimir Putin gave the order to launch what he called a special military operation.
Cardenas Montilla's capture by Russian forces in June 2024 was reported by the Russian Defence Ministry at the time, which said he had joined the Ukrainian armed forces after seeing an advertisment on TikTok.
(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Andrew Osborn)
