Seven foreign nationals prosecuted for serving in the Ukrainian armed forces are political prisoners
Citizens of Georgia, Colombia, and the USA have been accused of mercenary activity for serving in the Ukrainian army
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Mamuka Gatserelia, Giorgi Goglidze, Giorgi Chubetidze, Alexander Ante, Miguel Ángel Cárdenas Montilla, José Aarón Medina Aranda, and Stephen James Hubbard political prisoners. They are being prosecuted on charges of engaging in mercenary activity for serving under contract in official units of the Ukrainian army. We demand the release of Ante and Medina Aranda and that all criminal charges against the defendants in the case be immediately dropped, and international law, including the rights of prisoners of war, be upheld in these cases.
What charges have been brought against the seven foreign citizens?
Mamuka Gatserelia, from Georgia, who fought in Mariupol as part of the International Legion, was taken prisoner in May 2022. On 19 February 2024, the Supreme Court of the self-proclaimed ‘Donetsk People’s Republic’ sentenced him to life imprisonment on charges of ‘attempting to kill Russian military service personnel’ (Article 317 of the Russian Criminal Code) and mercenary activity (Article 359, Part 3).
Giorgi Chubetidze and Giorgi Goglidze, both from Georgia, also fought as part of the International Legion. In November 2023, they were captured near Kreminna and were subsequently charged with mercenary activity.
Miguel Montilla from Colombia served under contract in the 59th Separate Motorised Infantry Brigade of the Ukrainian armed forces. In June 2024, he was captured near Donetsk. He has also been charged with mercenary activity.
Alexander Ante and José Aarón Medina Aranda from Colombia served under contract in the Carpathian Sich 49th Infantry Battalion. When their contracts ended, they returned to their homeland. In Venezuela, at Caracas airport, they were arrested and subsequently extradited to Russia. They have also been charged with mercenary activity.
Finally, 73-year-old American Stephen Hubbard had lived in Ukraine since 2014. On 2 April 2022, he was detained by Russian military forces near Izium. No information about him was available for more than two years; only in the autumn of 2024 did it become known that he was accused of mercenary activity. Russian investigators claim that Hubbard allegedly participated in resisting Russian troops as part of the territorial defence system. On 7 October 2024, he was sentenced to six years and 10 months in a general regime penal colony.
Why do we consider the seven foreign citizens political prisoners?
The Geneva Convention on the Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts does not recognise as mercenaries those who officially serve in the armed forces of one of the warring parties. However, all the foreigners charged with mercenary activity in these cases served under contract in official units of the Ukrainian armed forces.
Hubbard and, probably, Chubetidze were permanent residents of Ukraine, which also excludes the possibility of them being considered mercenaries. Furthermore, Hubbard may not have participated in combat operations.
However, none of the foreigners charged with mercenary activity should be prosecuted simply for participating in hostilities during an armed conflict. According to international law, combatants captured during hostilities are considered prisoners of war. Prisoners of war who have not committed war crimes cannot be subject to criminal prosecution. At the same time, Alexander Ante and José Aarón Medina Aranda are not prisoners of war, since they were detained as civilians.
A detailed description of the cases of the seven foreign citizens and of our position is available on our website.
Recognition of an individual as a political prisoner does not imply that the ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project agrees with, or approves, their views, statements, or actions.
How can you help?
You can write to Mamuka Gatserelia, Stephen Hubbard, Giorgi Goglidze and Miguel Montilla at the following addresses:
In Russian:
431030, Республика Мордовия, ул. Весенняя д. 50, п. Торбеево, ФКУ ИК-6 УФСИН России по Республике Мордовия, Гацерелия Мамука Акакиевич 2001 г. р.
601960, Владимирская область, Ковровский р-н, п. Пакино, ул. Центральная, д. 1А, ФКУ ИК-7 УФСИН России по Владимирской области, Хаббард Стивен Джеймс 1952 г. р.
347910, Ростовская область, г. Таганрог, ул. Ленина, д. 175, ФКУ СИЗО-2 ГУФСИН России по Ростовской области, Гоглидзе Георгий Зурабович 1997 г. р.
283086, г. Донецк, ул. Кобозева, д. 4, ФКУ СИЗО-1 ГУФСИН России по Донецкой народной республике (ДНР), Карденас Монтилья Мигель Анхель 1991 г. р.
Мы уважаем территориальную целостность Украины, но для того, чтобы письма нашли своих адресатов на оккупированных территориях, адреса надо указывать по российским правилам.
In English:
Mamuka Akakievich Gatserelia (born 2001), Penal Colony No. 6, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for the Republic of Mordovia, 50 Vesennyaya Street, Torbeevo village, Republic of Mordovia, 431030, Russia.
Stephen James Hubbard (born 1952), Penal Colony No. 7, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for Vladimir Oblast, 1A Tsentralnaya Street, Pakino village, Kovrov district, Vladimir Oblast, 601960, Russia.
Giorgi Zurabovich Goglidze (born 1997), Remand Prison No. 2, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for Rostov Oblast, 175 Lenina Street, Taganrog, Rostov Oblast, 347910, Russia.
Cárdenas Montilla Miguel Ángel (born 1991), Remand Prison No. 1, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), 4 Kobozeva Street, Donetsk, Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), 283086, Russia.
We respect the territorial integrity of Ukraine. However, in order for letters to reach their intended recipients in the occupied territories, the addresses need to be set out in line with Russian rules.
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