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Russian citizen sentenced to 5 years in prison for joining illegal armed group in Syria

Resident of Kalmykia Khalidin Khalilov was found guilty of involvement in the Jaish al-Muhajirin wal-Ansar illegal armed group from August 2013 until June 2015

© Stanislav Krasilnikov/TASS

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ROSTOV-ON-DON, January 20. /TASS/. A court has sentenced a resident of Russia’s southern republic of Kalmykia to five years in prison for fighting alongside illegal armed groups in Syria.

The press secretary of the North Caucasian district court Alena Katkalo told TASS that the resident of Kalmykia Khalidin Khalilov was sentenced to five years in prison for participating in combat actions in Syria on the side of an illegal armed group and for attempting to recruit new members from Russia.

"The convict fully admitted his guilt, actively contributed to the investigation. The case was considered in one day without studying evidence and witness testimonies. The court sentenced Khalilov to five years in prison," Katkalo said.

He was found guilty of involvement in the Jaish al-Muhajirin wal-Ansar illegal armed group from August 2013 until June 2015. Khalivov was persuaded to leave for Syria by his brother. Khalilov underwent physical and shooting training, received weapons and ammunition, patrolled the territories controlled by the group, and took part in attacks on government forces.

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