Russia has sentenced three sons of a Russian priest to up to 17.5 years in prison for attempting to join the Ukrainian army, as reported by Mediazona on Wednesday.
Ioann Ashcheulov, 24, Alexei Ashcheulov, 20 and Timofey Ashcheulov, 19, were detained in July 2023 while trying to cross the Russian-Ukrainian border. Despite their father being a priest, the brothers deny their guilt.
The Moscow’s Second Western Military Garrison Court found them guilty of attempted treason, illegal border crossing, and involvement in a terrorist organization, sentencing them to lengthy prison terms. Despite the prosecutors seeking 18 years, the brothers received between 17 and 17.5 years.
The trial was a public affair, unusual for treason cases. Videos, emails, and messages revealed discussions of defection to the Ukrainian side and opposition to Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
The brothers expressed their opposition to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in their closing statements. In contrast, the Russian Orthodox Church has supported the invasion, referring to it as a “holy war.”