In Chernihiv, Jehovah’s Witness believer sentenced to 5 years for AWOL

Court. Illustrative photo: open sources

On February 17, 2026, a court in Chernihiv Region sentenced a man to five years in prison for unauthorized departure from a military unit. This is stated in the verdict of the Kozelets District Court.

According to the case materials, on February 12, 2025, the man was drafted into military service and assigned as a cadet to a training course at the Air Defense Specialists School of the Ground Forces. On February 15, he left the unit without permission and remained absent until March 26. He was detained on March 27.

During the trial, the defendant did not admit guilt. He explained that since childhood he has been one of Jehovah’s Witnesses and, due to his religious beliefs, cannot be involved in military service, wear a uniform, or take up arms. He stated that he had requested to replace military service with alternative civilian service and had expressed readiness to serve the state in another capacity.

The court noted that during mobilization and under martial law, alternative service is not предусмотрено. The verdict also cites the position of the Supreme Court, according to which mobilization does not necessarily mean mandatory participation in combat – a serviceman may perform duties not related to the use of weapons. The man was found guilty under Part 5, Article 407 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The verdict may be appealed within 30 days.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that in Odesa Region, a Jehovah’s witness was sentenced to three years for evading service.

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