Russian military police in Armenia have detained a mobilized soldier on charges of desertion in what amounts to a violation of the ex-Soviet republics sovereignty, a European NGO based in Yerevansaid Sunday.The Helsinki Citizens Assembly-Vanadzor said Dmitry Setrakov was apprehended on Dec.
6-7 and is being held at a Russian military base in the northern Armenian city of Gyumri.The NGO said it condemns the abduction of and the illegal activities against a person under the Republic of Armenias legal protection by Russian military police in the Republic of Armenias territory.It argued that Russian authorities violated Armenias sovereign power to restrict a persons liberty on its territory.Setrakov faces five to 10 years in prison if convicted of leaving his military unit during Russias mobilization period.Idite Lesom (Get Lost), a project that helps Russians avoid fighting the war in Ukraine,said it had helped Setrakov flee Russia on Nov.
30.The people who detained Setrakov had identified themselves to him as members of Armenias military police but were obviously Russian soldiers and security services, said Idite Lesom head Grigory Sverdlin.Sverdlin said he hoped the Armenian government would secure Setrakovs release.Neither the Kremlin nor the Armenian authorities have commented on Setrakovs reported detention.