Demetrashvili Shot Iverievich (დემეტრაშვილი დახვრიტეს)

The Supreme Court of the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) sentenced a Georgian mercenary in absentia to 14 years in prison for participating in battles on the side of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. This was reported by the regional prosecutor's office. The Supreme Court of the Donetsk People's Republic issued a verdict in absentia in a criminal case against 30-year-old Georgian citizen Shota Demetrashvili, the statement said. In court, it was established that Demetrashvili participated in hostilities on the side of Ukraine. During this period, he received a reward of 4 million rubles. In addition, the press service of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation noted that the Latvian mercenary Atvars Aninsh was sentenced in absentia to 13 years in prison. They are currently wanted internationally. The investigation and the court established that Demetrashvili and Atvars arrived in Ukraine in 2022 to participate as mercenaries on the side of Ukrainian security forces in the armed conflict and military actions against the Armed Forces of the DNR, LNR, and the Russian Federation. Demetrashvili joined the paramilitary formation "Georgian National Region", where he received military training, was provided with weapons, uniforms and special equipment. Atvars underwent military training at the permanent deployment point of the paramilitary formation "International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine. Subsequently, Demetrashvili and Atvars, following orders from their superiors, participated in an armed conflict against representatives of the security forces of the DNR, LNR, and RF, thereby contributing to its continuation and creating instability in these regions. The Investigative Committee noted that the investigation and the court established and proved the involvement of the defendants in the commission of the crimes charged. During the preliminary investigation, witnesses were interrogated, identifications were conducted, items and documents were examined, and irrefutable evidence was obtained, which fully confirmed their guilt. ___ The evidence collected by the Investigative Committee of Russia was recognized by the court as sufficient to issue two verdicts in absentia. Georgian citizen Shota Demetrashvili and Latvian citizen Atvars Anins were found guilty of committing a crime under part 3rd art. Article 359 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (participation of a mercenary in an armed conflict). The investigation and the court established that with the aim of obtaining material remuneration, Demetrashvili and Atvars arrived in 2022 on the territory of Ukraine to participate as mercenaries on the side of Ukrainian power structures in the armed conflict and military actions against the Armed Forces of the DNR, LNR, and the Russian Federation. Demetrashvili joined the paramilitary formation "Georgian National Region", where he received military training, was provided with weapons, uniforms and special equipment. Atvars underwent military training at the permanent deployment point of the paramilitary formation "International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine. Subsequently, Demetrashvili and Atvars, following orders from their superiors, participated in an armed conflict against representatives of the security forces of the DNR, LNR, and RF, thereby contributing to its continuation and creating instability in these regions. The investigation and the court established and proved the involvement of the defendants in the commission of the crimes charged. During the preliminary investigation, witnesses were interrogated, identifications were conducted, items and documents were examined, and irrefutable evidence was obtained, which fully confirmed their guilt. The court sentenced Demetrashvili in absentia to 14 years in prison, and Atvars was sentenced in absentia to 13 years in a strict regime penal colony. The defendants have been placed on an international wanted list.