In the Sumy region, a member of the ‘Jehovah’s Witnesses’ was sentenced to 3 years for refusing to join the army

In the Sumy region, a member of the religious organization “Jehovah’s Witnesses” was sentenced to three years in prison for refusing mobilization.

This decision was made by the Akhtyrsky City District Court, and the verdict was published in the Unified State Register of Court Decisions.

According to the case materials, the suspect in evasion is a reserve officer. On March 1, 2024, a medical commission deemed him fit for mobilization. On March 22, employees of the territorial recruitment center tried to deliver a summons to his place of residence, but he refused to accept it and did not report for dispatch to the military unit.

In court, the Jehovah’s Witness denied guilt and stated that he could not take up arms due to his religious beliefs, and alternative service was not offered to him.

Another member of the organization confirmed his words.

An employee of the territorial recruitment center told the court that the man “refused to receive the combat summons on religious grounds, a refusal act was drawn up, which he reviewed. There is no alternative service during the martial law period, but there are various specialties without the use of weapons.”

The court analyzed the case materials and found the believer guilty under Article 336 of the Criminal Code. He was sentenced to three years in prison.