MOSCOW, July 3. The Second Western District Military Court sentenced from 17 to 17.5 years in prison to the three sons of Lipetsk priest Igor Ashcheulov, who tried to join the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the correspondent reports.
«Ioann Igorevich Ashcheulov was finally sentenced to 17 years 6 months of imprisonment, of which three years in prison, the rest in a maximum security colony, with restriction of freedom for two years,” the judge announced the verdict.
Alexey and Timofey Ashcheulov were sentenced to 17 years in prison — and also the first three years in prison with a restriction of freedom for two years after release.
The prosecution asked for 18 years for all three.
The Ashcheulovs refused to participate in the debate between the parties, but made the last word. The eldest, John, said that he was against carrying out a special military operation and that the court could give him “any sentence.” Alexey stated that he considers his intentions “good.” Timofey — that he did not intend to do anything immoral. All three stated that they do not consider themselves war criminals and traitors.
The Ashcheulovs are charged with attempted treason, illegally crossing the border of the Russian Federation and participation in the activities of a terrorist organization.
At the first meeting, the Ashcheulovs did not dispute that they intended to cross the border and participate in hostilities on the side of Ukraine, but stated that they did not consider this an admission of guilt. They participated in the trial via video link from the Kursk Garrison Military Court.
According to the indictment announced at the hearing, the brothers intended to join the Legion “Freedom of Russia”*, recognized as terrorist, by contacting its representatives via Telegram , and then made a “joint decision to participate in military operations to confront Russia.”
To do this, the defendants went to the Kursk region to the border; a tool for dismantling the fence was later found in the backpack of one of them. However, according to the state prosecution, the Ashcheulovs did not carry out their criminal intent to the end, since they were noticed by border guards 1.5 kilometers from the border. At first, they received 10 days of arrest each, then a criminal case was opened.
The large Ascheulov family became known in 2014, when the guardianship authorities removed the children due to the lack of living conditions for them. Later, the children were returned to their parents and provided with living quarters while the house was being repaired. The court declared the actions of local guardianship and trusteeship authorities illegal, and also rejected the claim to limit parental rights.
* Terrorist organization banned in Russia