The Prague City Court sentenced in absentia to 20 years in prison Jiri Urbanek with the call sign “Begemot”, who fought in the Donbas on the side of pro-Russian militants for membership in a terrorist group and for committing a terrorist act.
According to the investigation, Urbanek went to Ukraine in 2015 in order to support the militants and participated in their operations at least until January 2018. Не helped to dig trenches, joined the patrolling and participated in hostilities against the Ukrainian army – near Maryinka, Krasnogorovka and Spartacus. Urbanek was tried in absentia, he did not contact his lawyer.
On September 7, the prosecutor in his closing speech proposed to sentence Urbanek to 20 years in prison. The lawyer asked for an acquittal or a lenient sentence. He expressed doubts about the legal qualifications of the actions and the fact that his client’s Facebook profile provides clear evidence of Urbanek’s involvement in the hostilities. The court agreed with the arguments of the prosecution.