The so-called Supreme Court of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) has sentenced Georgian citizen Kakhaber Amiranashvili to 13 years and six months in prison *in absentia*. Russian media reported the news, citing the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation.

According to Russian investigators, Amiranashvili arrived in Ukraine in the spring of 2022, joined the "Georgian National Legion," underwent military training, and participated in combat operations against Russian forces until July of that year. Consequently, he was charged with participating in an armed conflict as a mercenary.

The sentence reportedly entails serving time in a maximum-security penal colony. Additionally, Kakhaber Amiranashvili has been placed on the international wanted list.

Since the start of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, Russian courts have regularly handed down *in absentia* sentences to foreign nationals alleged to have fought on the side of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU). Georgian citizens have frequently appeared among those charged.

The "Georgian National Legion" was established in 2014 following the outbreak of armed conflict in eastern Ukraine. The unit, formed by Georgian volunteers, was later incorporated into the AFU. According to the Legion itself, hundreds of foreign volunteers—including Georgian citizens—have served in its ranks since the beginning of the full-scale war.