Ukraine Sentences Brazilian Who Fought For Russia-Backed Separatists To 13 Years In Prison

[Rogue Valley]

Ukraine Sentences Brazilian Who Fought For Russia-Backed Separatists To 13 Years In Prison

Rafael Lusvarghi at his trial in Pavlograd.

5/2/19
A Brazilian citizen has been sentenced to 13 years in prison for fighting for Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine. Rafael Lusvarghi, 34, came to Ukraine in 2014, after Russia annexed Crimea and Moscow-backed separatists began battling Ukrainian government forces in the east of the country. Lusvarghi fought on the separatist side and appeared frequently in Russian and separatist propaganda videos, before returning to Brazil in 2015. Lusvarghi traveled back to Ukraine in 2016 and was arrested upon arrival. He was accused of terrorism and sentenced to 13 years in prison in January 2017. He was found guilty of fighting for an illegal militant formation and participating in terrorism. Lusvarghi pleaded guilty on the charges of fighting for an illegal formation, but denied the terrorism charges. Lusvarghi will also have to pay $560-worth of court expenses. According to Ukrainian law, the year Lusvarghi spent in pretrial detention will reduce his sentence by two years, bringing his prison term down to 11 years.

A word to the wise to any foreigners traveling to Ukraine and fighting against the government in Russia-occupied Donbas ... If you are captured, you will be charged with terrorism at a minimum. If you are identified, most countries have an extradition treaty with Ukraine and you will be extradited to Ukraine for trial. There is no early release for "good behavior". A French mercenary charged with terrorism is now awaiting trial.