On July 18, 2018, the Supreme Court of the Donetsk People's Republic passed a verdict against ten persons who, during the period from 2014 till 2015, have been plundering, kidnapping, extorting and murdering as part of a criminal gang. All the convicts have been acting under the guise of membership in the public organization "Cossack Union "Oblast’ Voyska Donskogo" (Province of the Don Cossack Host)".
Considering the fact that the crimes were committed with extreme brutality, during the trial the public prosecutor asked to sentence the four members of the criminal gang to the exceptional measure of punishment – the death penalty.
After a thorough examination of the evidence submitted by the investigation, for the totality of the crimes committed by the convicts, one of them was sentenced to death penalty, eight were sentenced to life imprisonment, and one member of the gang – to 13 years of imprisonment.
The sentence has taken effect.