The Russian Prosecutor General’s Office announced that former Georgian Vice Prime Minister Giorgi Baramidze will be tried in absentia in the territory controlled by the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR). Based on the statement, Baramidze is accused of having fought on the side of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
“The Prosecutor’s Office of the Donetsk People’s Republic has approved the charges in the criminal case against Georgian citizen Giorgi Baramidze. He has been charged in absentia under Part 3 of Article 359 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (participation of a mercenary in armed conflict). The case has been sent to the Supreme Court of the Donetsk People’s Republic for consideration,” the agency said.
Investigators claim that Baramidze traveled to Ukraine as a mercenary in February 2022 and joined the Georgian National Legion. Based on their account, he underwent military training and subsequently took part in combat operations against Russian forces until April 2022, receiving a salary exceeding 238,000 rubles.
The Prosecutor General’s Office added that Baramidze has been placed on an international wanted list and that a pretrial detention measure has been ordered in absentia.
