A Georgian citizen was convicted in absentia in Russia for participating in fighting.

A Russian court sentenced Georgian citizen Shmagi Dighmelashvili in absentia to 14 years in prison, finding him a participant in hostilities on the Ukrainian side.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," since the outbreak of hostilities in Ukraine, Russian courts have repeatedly convicted Georgian citizens of mercenarism. Thus, in December 2025, a court sentenced Georgian citizen Giorgi Partsvania in absentia to 28 years in prison, for participating in hostilities on the side of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

The court sentenced 42-year-old Georgian citizen Shmagi Digmelashvili in absentia, finding him guilty under Part 3 of Article 359 of the Russian Criminal Code (participation of a mercenary in an armed conflict; carries a sentence of seven to 15 years in prison), the statement said. On March 24, the Russian Prosecutor General's Office stated: "It was established that in March 2022, Digmelashvili arrived in Ukraine, where he joined the Georgian National Legion as a mercenary. He underwent military training at Ukrainian Armed Forces training bases, was provided with firearms, and participated in combat operations against Russian military personnel until the fall of 2025," the agency's website stated. Digmelashvili was placed on an international wanted list and arrested in absentia. "Digmelashvili was sentenced in absentia to 14 years' imprisonment in a maximum-security penal colony," the statement noted.

As a reminder, in November 2023, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported the capture of two Georgian citizens, Georgy Goglidze and Georgy Chubetidze. According to the department, they were snipers in Ukraine's Second International Legion. The leader of the International Legion stated that these fighters were not in his unit, but called on the Georgian authorities to intervene and release them. In response, the Georgian authorities stated that they "did not have the resources" to free the prisoners.

All foreigners accused of mercenarism served under contract in official units.

In April 2025, Georgiy Goglidze was sentenced to nine years in a maximum-security prison. In February 2026, Giorgi Chubetidze was sentenced to life imprisonment.

Human rights activists have recognized Chubetidze as a political prisoner. "The Geneva Convention for the Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts does not recognize as mercenaries those who officially serve in the armed forces of one of the warring parties. All foreigners accused of mercenarism served under contract in official units of the Ukrainian army," explained the "Support for Political Prisoners. Memorial" project.