Kyrgyzstani Convicted of War Participation Granted Russian Citizenship
Kyrgyzstani Man Returns to Russia and Obtains Russian Citizenship
Kyrgyzstani citizen Askar Kubanychbek, who was convicted in his homeland for voluntary participation in the war in Ukraine, has returned to Russia and successfully obtained a Russian passport.
In an interview with a journalist from Regnum news agency, Kubanychbek expressed his joy at becoming a citizen of Russia, stating that obtaining the passport was a long and challenging process for him. He expressed gratitude to everyone who helped him in this endeavor.
Kubanychbek signed a contract with the Russian Defense Ministry at the beginning of the summer and spent time at a selection point working towards obtaining Russian citizenship. Now that he has successfully obtained citizenship, he plans to serve in the Russian army.
According to Regnum, Anton Egovtsev, deputy chairman of the Call of the People movement, helped Kubanychbek obtain political asylum in Russia. Tragically, Egovtsev was killed in Moscow on June 7 by his wife’s stalker.
Kubanychbek had lived in Russia prior to his involvement in the conflict in Ukraine and had worked in the film industry. He volunteered for combat in 2022 and returned to Kyrgyzstan due to his father’s illness. Upon his return, he faced criminal prosecution and accusations of mercenary activities.
In January, Kubanychbek was released from serving his sentence with probation supervision for three years by the Pervomaisky District Court of Bishkek.
The support Kubanychbek received in Russia highlights the complex and interconnected nature of international conflicts and the challenges faced by individuals involved in them.
