The rebellion against the Kremlin by the mercenaries of the Wagner group, in the midst of the war in Ukraine, has led Vladimir Putin to send a forceful message against the insurgents: he has branded them as “traitors” and has threatened the mutineers with harsh prison terms.
This past dawn, the head of the Wagner group, Yevgeny Prigozhinhas announced on the account of Telegram of the armed group to have control over the General Staff of the Russian forces in the city of Rostov, in the south of the country, thus rebelling against the Russian Army. “We control the Rostov military facilities, including the airfield,” he said in the message.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin has accused Prigozhin of organizing an armed mutiny after claiming, without providing evidence, that Russian military leaders had killed large numbers of their fighters in an airstrike and vowing revenge.
[Reino Unido cree que Rusia se enfrenta al “mayor desafío reciente” tras el motín de Wagner]
Specifically, andhe Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused of “treason” by uprising started last night and in front of it announces that he will respond with “harshness” and “He will be punished”.
“The one who organized and prepared the military rebellion betrayed Russia and will answer for that,” he said during a speech to the nation broadcast on public television. In said speech, he pointed out that the armed forces have already received the pertinent orders to protect the country. What jail terms do the soldiers of the Wagner group and its leader Yevgeny Prigozhin face?
What are the charges?
The National Anti-Terrorism Committee has announced that the Prigozhin’s statements have been the ‘starting gun’ for the initiation of the criminal case for the charges against him before the law. In fact, a criminal case has already been initiated for organization of mutiny and treason. But they have also indicated that the accusations made by Vladimir Putin are “illegal”.
The Russian president, known for his harsh punishments against “traitors”, has always been questioned by human rights organizations and some democratic countries for handing out unfair sentences to those accused against the regime.
[Quién es Yevgueni Prigozhin: el ‘cocinero de Putin’ que dirige a los mercenarios de Wagner]
Subsequently, the General Prosecutor’s Office justified that the criminal case was initiated legitimately and was justified. The Prosecutor’s Office promised to provide legal advice to the defendant Prigozhin.
With these accusations on the table, the Wagner founder could face prison terms. between 12 and 20 years in prison. Years that would also be applicable to the mercenaries of his group, as reported by the Russian News Agency TASS.
Who would be the imprisoned?
The main defendant is the businessman Yevgueni Prigozhin, who for years and until a few hours ago was close friend of Russian President Vladimir Putinand who is the visible head of the Wagner Group.
This is the private militia founded in Russia in 2013, made up of ex-convicts and mercenaries, who would also be convicted of treason. These soldiers have executed covert operations all over the planet and are known for their brutal actions in the war in Ukraine.
Civil conflict?
Yevgeny Prigozhin posted on the channel of Telegram of the Wagner Group that the Russian Ministry of Defense attacked their units with aerial bombardments for rising up against the government. Information that said Ministry discredited.
From the press office of the Federal Security Service (FSB) they announced that they took measures due to the seriousness of the situation and the threat of a possible escalation of the conflict in Russia. In addition, he asked the combatants of this armed group to disobeyed Prigozhin’s orders and had him detained for trial.
[La rebelión de Wagner pone al Kremlin en alerta: el ejército toma Moscú ante un posible golpe]
“Prigozhin’s statements and actions effectively call for a civil conflict armed on Russian soil and is a stab in the back for the Russian military fighting with pro-Nazi Ukrainian forces,” the press office said.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskovhas assured that President Vladimir Putin “are taking the necessary measures” on the situation around Prigozhin.
