ROSTOV-ON-DON. May 15 (Interfax) - A prosecutor asked a court to give a lengthy prison term to Denis Muryga, who is officially listed among individuals and organizations believed to be involved in extremist or terrorist activities, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don told Interfax on Monday.
"The counsel for the prosecution has requested Muryga be sentenced to 18 years in a high-security penitentiary, with subsequent restrictions on his freedom for one year and six months," a court spokesperson said.
Muryga has been charged under the article of the Russian Criminal Code dealing with involvement in the activities of an illegal armed unit. He was detained while attempting to cross Russia's border in the Rostov region in spring 2022.
The investigation determined that Muryga joined the Aidar battalion (which Russia has designated as an illegal armed unit and banned as an extremist organization) in 2015, where he received weapons, ammunition, and a military uniform. He was trained in combat tactics and the handling of firearms, and performed guard duties.
Russia's Rosfinmonitoring financial monitoring service placed Muryga on the list of individuals and organizations known to be involved in extremist or terrorist activities.
According to the Rostov regional court's press service, Muryga has dual Russian and Ukrainian citizenship.