The serviceman was convicted in Nalchik for being absent from service for more than a year.

The Nalchik garrison military court sentenced serviceman Timur Keligov to 5.5 years in a penal colony for failing to report for duty, which lasted almost a year and a half during the mobilization.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", on September 24, 2022, parts 2.1, 3.1, and 5 of Article 337 on desertion or leaving the place of service during mobilization were introduced into the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. The amendments provide for imprisonment for up to 10 years. The tightening of legislation after the announcement of mobilization led to harsher sentences for absence from military units or desertion.

Keligov was charged with failing to report for duty for more than one month during the mobilization (part 5 of Article 337 of the Criminal Code of Russia). This article provides for imprisonment from 5 to 10 years.

According to the prosecution's version, on October 21, 2024, Keligov did not report to the military unit located in the Kaliningrad region at the appointed time. From that day until February 15, 2026, he, as the court noted, "spent time at his discretion." On February 15, 2026, Keligov, who was driving a car, was stopped by a police officer and handed over to the military commandant's office, which was looking for him, reported the press service of the Nalchik garrison military court.

In sentencing, the court took into account that Keligov realized the illegality of his actions, truthfully described them, and expressed regret for what he had done. At the same time, the court considered that the defendant committed a serious crime against military service, negatively affecting the performance of daily combat training tasks.

Keligov was sentenced to five years and six months of imprisonment in a general regime colony, taken into custody in the courtroom, and placed in a pre-trial detention center. The "Caucasian Knot" currently has no comments from the convicted or his defense.

According to registry data, Timur Keligov's case was submitted to the court on August 28 and was considered in September over two sessions. Both sessions were held in closed mode; Keligov did not appear for the first session for unknown reasons. The second session took place the next day, during which the sentence was announced.

"Caucasian Knot" also reported that earlier the Nalchik garrison military court sentenced Albert Duduyev and Albert Guzoev to imprisonment, finding both guilty of prolonged absence from their units. Both were sentenced to five years in a general regime colony.