Pyatigorsk court treats participation in SMO as mitigating circumstance in drug dealing case

The Pyatigorsk Garrison Military Court has found a contract military serviceman guilty of possessing narcotic drugs and imposed a minimum fine on him, treating his participation in the special military operation (SMO) in Ukraine as a mitigating circumstance.

According to investigators, on April 1, 2023, Magomed Khambulatov purchased mephedrone in the city of Georgievsk, Stavropol Territory, after which he drove with his acquaintance in his car towards Grozny. A few hours later, the car was stopped for inspection at the traffic police post. During the search, traffic policemen found and seized the above drug.

Khambulatov admitted his guilt; and his command gave him a negative reference. Nevertheless, the above military court has treated Khambulatov’s engagement in the SMO in Ukraine, where he was wounded, as a mitigating circumstance. The court found him guilty of illegal drugs possession and imposed a minimum fine, the “Kavkaz.Realii”* project reports.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that a similar incident occurred in Kabardino-Balkaria. Ibragim Polonkoev, a military serviceman, was sentenced by the Nalchik Garrison Military Court to a fine of 15,000 roubles, and Elbek Makaev, a contract soldier, was sentenced to a conditional imprisonment in cases of drug dealing. The court indicated their participation in the SMO in Ukraine as mitigating circumstances.

*Included by the Russian Ministry of Justice (MoJ) into the register of foreign agents.