The Krasnodar Krai Court granted a petition allowing Alexander Steshuk, convicted of murder, robbery, theft, and arson (Articles 105, 162, 158, and 167 of the Russian Criminal Code), to join the war in Ukraine, according to a December 24 report by the regional courts’ press service.
Alexander Steshuk was sentenced to 18 years in prison for the murder of two elderly neighbors in September 2021. However, during the same court session, he was permitted to leave for the war. The state prosecutor did not oppose his release.
On October 2, Vladimir Putin signed a law suspending criminal prosecution for mobilized soldiers and contract servicemen. Between October 28 and November 28, courts in Krasnodar Krai alone released 131 defendants to join the war.
One of the first applications of this new law involved Alexey Patrushev from Zabaykalsky Krai. Convicted of murder, he was released to serve with Wagner PMC. Upon returning to civilian life, he attempted to stab a woman in Chita and was subsequently redeployed to the war.