A native of Kyrgyzstan chose to buy methadone instead of serving in the military and is now facing trial.

A court in Dnipro has made a ruling regarding a Ukrainian citizen of Kyrgyz descent who evaded mobilization. Additionally, he was found in possession of methadone (a synthetic narcotic substance).

This information became known from the open register of court decisions. The man is unfit for military service during peacetime (due to flat feet) and is only partially fit for military service. He underwent a military medical commission, which recognized that he could be mobilized. He received a summons to report for service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which he failed to attend. Afterward, attempts were made to serve him a second summons, but he refused it and did not show up at the specified location.

Instead, the man found a package containing a crystalline white substance in a park in the city of Dobropillia, Pokrovsk district, Donetsk region (the examination established that it contained 0.1794 g of methadone). Realizing what it was, he put it in his pocket and continued on his way. The court classified these actions as illegal acquisition and possession of narcotic substances for personal use without the intent to sell.

However, he did not keep it for long, nor did he have time to use it — as he was stopped by the police 15 minutes later. The man admitted that he had methadone on him.

The defendant entered into a plea agreement. The court found him guilty on two counts and imposed a sentence:

• under Article 336 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (evasion of conscription for military service during mobilization) resulting in a prison sentence of 3 years;
• under part 1 of Article 309 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (acquisition and possession of narcotic substances without intent to sell) resulting in a restriction of freedom for 1 year.

By partially combining the imposed sentences, the man was ultimately sentenced to 3 years and 1 month in prison. Additionally, he is required to reimburse the state for the amount of 1,893 hryvnias for the examination of the substance he had at the time of his arrest.

Previously, "Telegraph" reported on how the court punished a man with intellectual disabilities who ignored six summonses.