A soldier in Nalchik was convicted for prolonged absence from his unit.

A court in Kabardino-Balkaria sentenced Zamir Begiyev to five years in prison, finding him guilty of leaving his unit for several months during mobilization.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot," on September 24, 2022, Parts 2.1, 3.1, and 5 of Article 337, concerning unauthorized abandonment of a unit or place of service during mobilization, were introduced into the Russian Criminal Code. The amendments provide for imprisonment for up to 10 years. Tighter legislation following the announcement of mobilization led to harsher sentences for absence from a military unit or desertion.

A serviceman named Begiyev was found guilty under Part 5 of Article 337 of the Russian Criminal Code 1 , the Nalchik Garrison Military Court reported on its VKontakte page.

According to the court, Begiyev "failed to report for duty at his military unit on June 19, 2024, during the mobilization period" without valid reason. "On February 3, 2025, Begiyev voluntarily reported to the military investigative department stationed in Nalchik, and from June 19, 2024, to February 3, 2025, Begiyev spent his time at his own discretion at his place of residence," the publication states.

In court, Begiyev fully admitted his guilt. "In sentencing the defendant, the court took into account the impact of the sentence imposed on Begiyev's rehabilitation, who recognized the illegality of his actions, spoke truthfully about them, and expressed regret for his actions," the court's press service reported.

Begiev was sentenced to five years in a general regime penal colony. "The convict was taken into custody in the courtroom and placed in a pretrial detention facility," the statement noted.

The court's press service did not provide the convict's name. According to the case file on the court's website, the defendant is Zamir Begiyev. The case was submitted to the court on December 17, and a verdict was rendered at the first hearing, on December 25.

As a reminder, Vladimir Putin announced partial mobilization on September 21, 2022. On October 28 of that year, the Minister of Defense reported to the president on its completion, but no corresponding decree followed. Lawyers concluded that a presidential decree was not needed to end partial mobilization, Putin's press secretary explained.

Moreover, on December 12, 2023, the Maykop military court, in its verdict on a mobilized soldier who left his unit in June 2023, emphasized that "partial mobilization was declared in the Russian Federation, which was not completed at the time the crime was committed, ."