The Abakan Garrison Military Court sentenced serviceman Denis Novikov, who left his unit to care for his sick wife, to six years and three months of suspended imprisonment. The decision was published on the court’s website, Sibrsky Express noted.
Novikov signed a contract with the Ministry of Defense for four months in October 2022. At the same time, the court emphasized that such contracts “continue to be valid until the end of the period of partial mobilization.”
As a result, on January 26, the court found Novikov guilty in the case of abandoning his place of duty (part 2.1 and part 5 of Article 337 of the Criminal Code). The verdict was announced in the presence of military personnel.
In addition to the suspended sentence, the serviceman was given a three-year probationary period, during which he was required to “continue military service.” In the event of dismissal from service, Novikov will need to “take measures to find employment, and not change his permanent place of residence or place of work without notice.”
Novikov fulfilled the contract until February 13, and in April 2023 he was transferred to a military unit at his place of residence due to the deterioration of his wife’s health, the text of the decision says.
According to the court, on July 17, Novikov, “wanting to take a break from service, stay at home, spend time with his family, and also arrange the unfinished house where his family had moved, did not arrive at the military unit <…>, and began to live at his place of residence.”
Four days later, military police officers arrived at his home and demanded that Novikov explain to the military commandant what he had done that same day.
In August, Novikov again did not appear at work “with the same purpose and motive.” On October 12, 2023, he was summoned to the military investigative department of the Investigative Committee for the Abakan garrison.
Novikov’s wife has a sister with a disability, whom the couple helps because they live nearby, the serviceman’s mother-in-law told the court. The court considered Novikov’s three children and his admission of guilt as a mitigating circumstance in the case.