“In the Odesa region, a man refused to be drafted during mobilization, declaring that he “does not consider himself a member of the people of Ukraine, but a son of God.” He will spend the next 3.5 years in prison. This is stated in the decision of the Ivanovo District Court of Odesa Region. In the case materials, it is noted that the accused passed the military medical commission at the end of March 2023, received a summons to”, — write on: ua.news
In the Odesa region, a man refused to be drafted during mobilization, declaring that he “does not consider himself a member of the people of Ukraine, but a son of God.” He will spend the next 3.5 years in prison.
This is stated in the decision of the Ivanovo District Court of Odesa Region.
In the case file, it is noted that the accused passed the military medical board at the end of March 2023, received a summons to appear before the TCC and SP to pass the draft for military service during mobilization. After receiving the summons, he informed the Center that he is a member of the religious organization “Religious Center of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Ukraine” and asked to appoint him an alternative service not related to carrying weapons. He was offered a choice of positions as a chaplain and a cook’s assistant, but he again refused, arguing that in this way he would “help the servicemen who use weapons.” He also stated that he does not consider himself a member of the people of Ukraine, but a son of God. He did not provide an answer to the question of what “state”, “Ukrainian people”, “Motherland”, “Motherland” mean to him, and how he delimits these concepts,” the case materials state.
During the trial, it was established that the accused did not use the right to replace military service with an alternative one, although the legislation of Ukraine allows persons who have religious beliefs that prevent the use of weapons to undergo alternative (non-military) service. However, the man did not take any steps to realize this right, although he had such an opportunity.
The court also found that the man did not demonstrate consistency in his religious beliefs, as he did not participate in any socially useful activity that could indicate his sincere desire to serve society in a way other than military service. He did not provide aid to war victims, did not support the volunteer movement or the elderly, did not work to strengthen the economy or the social sphere. Also, there was no evidence of his active religious activity or charity work, which could confirm his observance of biblical commandments. According to the representatives of Themis, this behavior does not indicate a religious conflict, but an avoidance of mobilization.
Previously, an unemployed resident of Volyn was sentenced to six months in prison for refusing to be called up for military service during mobilization.
The court chose a preventive measure in the form of night house arrest for three deputies of the Kyiv City Council. They are being investigated for evasion of military service.
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