On July 1, the Military Court of the Second Western District will begin reviewing the criminal case involving three sons of a Lipetsk priest, linked to Igor Ashcheulov. The report comes from TASS.
The individuals were detained in the Kursk region as they attempted to cross the Russia-Ukraine border illegally in order to join the conflict on the side of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Their aim, according to authorities, was direct involvement in hostilities on the Ukrainian side.
The court’s press service announced that the Ashcheulov case will be heard in an open session.
“The merits hearing in the criminal case against the Ashcheulov brothers is scheduled for July 1 at 11:00 Moscow time. The proceedings will be conducted openly. A court representative noted that all three defendants will participate in reviewing the case materials via videoconference from the Kursk region,” the spokesperson said. (TASS)
Prior to these events, the Russian Orthodox Church stated that it had no connection with a priest whose three sons pursued service in the Ukrainian Armed Forces. It has been reported that priest Igor Ashcheulov, whose three sons allegedly sought to serve with Ukrainian forces, has not served as a clergyman in the Lipetsk Metropolis since 2008. (TASS)
In a related development, a former senior inspector with Crimea’s Interior Ministry was detained on charges related to espionage for Ukraine. (TASS)