The Main Investigations Directorate of the Russia’s Investigative Committee has opened a criminal case against Roman Zheleznov, who previously was convicted of theft and hooliganism, on suspicions of a crime under part 3 of article 359 of the RF Penal Code (taking part in an armed conflict or military actions as a mercenary). Under the Russian laws a mercenary is a person acting with the purpose to get a material reward and not being a citizen of a state involved in an armed conflict or military actions, not living permanently in its territory, and not being a person sent with an official mission.
According to investigators, on 9 July 2014, Zheleznov arrived in Ukraine and met with commanders of the Azov battalion. He volunteered to join the battalion and agreed to take part in the armed conflict in Donbass for a fee. Later, in the period between 9 and 26 July 2014, in the Azov battalion training camp Zheleznov was trained how to efficiently use weapons, ammunitions, learned about structure of military equipment and battle tactics. Zheleznov received firearms, ammunitions, special gears, and after that on the order of the Azov battalion commanders arrived in the self-declared Donetsk People’s Republic, where he is still taking active part in military actions as mercenary together with other militants of the Azov battalion. He is paid at least 4,000 Ukrainian hryvna per month.
The investigators have searched Zheleznov’s residence in Moscow and confiscated objects relevant for the probe. Soon the investigators are going to put Zhelesnov on an international wanted list.
Head of Media Relations V.I. Markin
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