Prosecutor’s office of Russia’s Penza drops first criminal charges in Russia for dodging mobilisation

The Prosecutor's office of the Russian Penza region has cancelled the decision to initiate the first criminal case on dodging mobilisation in Russia, head of the Agora human rights group Pavel Chikov reports.

“The decision on initiating the first criminal case on dodging mobilisation about not appearing [in the military draft office] upon receiving a draft notice has been cancelled. The Prosecutor's office of the Penza region has deemed the decision illegal,” Chikov wrote. 

He added that the suspect had gained the right to rehabilitation, including compensation for the 48-hour-long detention. 

According to Chikov, the Investigative Committee intends to appeal and insist on the criminal case being initiated.

On 5 October, it was reported that a Penza man would face criminal charges for avoiding mobilisation, becoming the first person in Russia to do so.

The suspect, 32, refused to sign a draft notice and was detained by the special purpose police. He was kept in a pre-trial facility for two days. 

Chikov previously explained that Russia’s Criminal Code Article 328 cannot be used to file criminal charges against men dodging mobilisation. “As per the Supreme Court’s ruling, this article may only be used against men avoiding regular, non-mobilisation conscription,” he clarified.