Rusitashvili Kartlos (რუსიტაშვილი ქართლოსი)

The Investigative Committee of Russia in April 2022 opened a criminal case on recruiting mercenaries and their participation in an armed conflict against the commander of the 'Georgian National Legion' Mamuka Mamulaishvili and 24 Georgian citizens. One of those who came under criminal prosecution was a career military man, corporal of the Georgian army Kartlos Rusitashvili. He was charged in absentia with mercenary activities, a measure of restraint in the form of detention was chosen, and he was put on the international wanted list. According to the Russian investigation, Rusitashvili arrived in Ukraine in 2022 and voluntarily joined the "Georgian National Legion. He underwent training, was provided with weapons and ammunition, as well as special equipment. Until September 2024, for a monetary reward of 2.3 million rubles, the serviceman participated in combat operations on the side of Ukrainian security forces against military personnel of the Russian Armed Forces. The Supreme Court of the Donetsk Republic found Kartlos Rusitashvili guilty in absentia and sentenced him to 14 years in a strict regime prison. ______________________ A verdict was passed in absentia against a Georgian mercenary who participated in hostilities on the side of Ukraine. Evidence collected by the Main Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of Russia was deemed sufficient by the court to pass a verdict in absentia against Georgian citizen Kartlos Rusitashvili. He was found guilty of participating as a mercenary in an armed conflict (ch. 3rd art. Article 359 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). The investigation and the court established that Rusitashvili arrived in Ukrainian territory in 2022 and voluntarily joined as a mercenary in the 'Georgian National Legion' under the command of Mamulasvili Ushangi. He underwent training, was provided with weapons and ammunition, as well as special equipment. Carrying out the orders of the higher commanders of the aforementioned paramilitary formation, including Mamulasvili, for material remuneration, Rusitashvili participated in hostilities on the side of Ukrainian security forces against representatives of the security forces of the DNR and military personnel of the Russian Armed Forces until September 2024. At the request of the investigation, the court has chosen a measure of restraint in the form of detention for the suspect in the criminal case in absentia, and he has been placed on the international wanted list. The court sentenced (in absentia) Rusitashvili to a punishment in the form of imprisonment for a term of 14 years. ___ The Supreme Court of the Donetsk People's Republic issued a verdict in absentia in a criminal case against 38-year-old Georgian citizen Kartlos Rusitashvili. He was found guilty under part 3rd art. Article 359 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (participation of a mercenary in an armed conflict). It was established in court that from February 2022 to September 2024, Rusitashvili arrived on the territory of Ukraine and voluntarily joined the Georgian National Legion, where he underwent military training. He was provided with personal firearms, ammunition, uniforms, and special equipment. Rusitashvili took part in combat operations on the side of Ukraine in various points of combat contact. The amount of remuneration received by the mercenary is equivalent to more than 2.3 million rubles. Russianashvili is a career military man, a corporal in the Georgian army. Has special forces training. Previously participated in the Georgian-South Ossetian conflict and the conflict in Afghanistan. Has a state award of Ukraine. Taking into account the position of the state prosecutor, the court sentenced Rusitashvili in absentia to 14 years of imprisonment to be served in a strict regime correctional colony.