In the Kyiv region, a member of the ‘Jehovah’s Witnesses’ was sentenced to three years in prison for evading mobilization

In the Kyiv region, a member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses was sentenced to three years in prison for evading mobilization.

This information comes from the Unified State Register of Court Decisions.

According to the court’s ruling, the man refused to receive a summons and did not report to the territorial recruitment center. During the trial, he confirmed that he declined mobilization due to his religious beliefs, a claim that was supported by witnesses who confirmed his membership in the religious organization.

The court acknowledged the man’s argument that his religious convictions prevent him from serving in the military. However, it concluded that he was evading mobilization because the law does not allow for the replacement of military service with alternative service during mobilization.

The man was found guilty under Article 336 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which addresses responsibility for evading mobilization, and was sentenced to three years of imprisonment.

It is noteworthy that a similar case occurred earlier in Okhtyrka, Sumy region, where another Jehovah’s Witness was also sentenced to three years in prison for refusing to join the military.

Additionally, Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets has previously urged the Verkhovna Rada to pass a law that would grant the right to alternative service for individuals who refuse to participate in military actions due to their religious beliefs during martial law.