About the case: Denis Vladimirovich Muryga is accused of participating in an illegal armed group – the Ukrainian “Aidar” Battalion (p. 2, art. 208 of the Criminal Code) and undergoing training for the purpose of terrorist activity (p. 1, art. 205.3 of the Criminal Code) in the Ukrainian “Aidar” Battalion (an extremist organization forbidden in Russia [we are obligated by the Russian law to write this, ed. note]). According to the prosecution, he joined the battalion in 2015 and subsequently took part in infrastructure sabotage.
The case is being heard by the Southern District Military Court, with a panel of judges presided over by Judge Kirill Nikolaevich Krivtsov.
The hearing was initially scheduled in Room 2-1, but due to a large audience, it was moved to Room 2-2.
In addition to the attorney and prosecutor, 12 spectators were present, including 7 media representatives and a family member. Before the session, the attorney was allowed to enter and speak with the defendant.
The judge arrived at 4:22 PM, and Muryga started to make a final statement. He began by fully admitting his guilt and expressing genuine remorse. His voice shook as he spoke, and he openly wept, explaining that he joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine due to a lack of means to live. He could not return to Crimea earlier because the border was closed. Throughout his service, he spent most of his time at the training ground and stated, “There is no blood on my hands”. He does not hold nationalist views. At the start of the recent conflict, he went to a village to see his 80-year-old father, whom he had not seen for eight years. He maintained that he had not “fallen morally”. After the onset of hostilities, he and his civil partner hid in a basement during shelling, and they have a young child whom his wife will now raise alone.
When he finished, saying “thank you,” the presiding judge announced that the panel would retire to deliberate, with the sentence to be pronounced on June 20.
