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Court sentences New Zealand mercenary who invaded Kursk Region to 14 years in absentia

According to the united regional court press office, an international arrest warrant was issued for the defendant

KURSK, December 10. /TASS/. The Kursk Regional court sentenced New Zealander Jordan O'Brien, who participated in the incursion into the Kursk Region as part of the Ukrainian forces, to 14 years in prison in absentia, the united regional court press office reported.

"Jordan O'Brien, born in 1988, was charged with [participating in an armed conflict as a mercenary]. <…> The Kursk Regional court found Jordan O'Brien guilty and sentenced him to a prison term of 14 years in a strict regime penal colony," the press office said.

According to the press office, an international arrest warrant was issued for the defendant. The court also ordered that 1.3 million rubles worth of property (about $13,000) O’Brien obtained while committing his crimes be seized as well.

In the event of O’Brien's extradition or deportation to Russia, the sentence will commence from the time he crosses the border or is apprehended within Russian territory, the court clarified

According to case files, O’Brien served as a mercenary for the Ukrainian armed forces in 2022, and took part in military action against Russian forces for material reward. In August of 2024, he illegally invaded the Kursk Region fighting for a Ukrainian military unit, where he continued to participate in the armed conflict.

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