The Russian 2nd Western Military District Court, in a session held at the Kursk Regional Court, announced the verdict for 22-year-old British citizen James Scott Rees Anderson in a case involving terrorism and mercenary activity during an armed conflict. This was reported by the press service of the Kursk courts.
Anderson was sentenced to 19 years in prison, with the first five years to be served in a general prison, and the remainder in a high-security colony.
The case was heard behind closed doors. The court mentioned that a Ukrainian soldier, who served in the same unit as Anderson, testified. Anderson admitted his guilt, according to the court.
As reported by Mediazona, Anderson is one of the first foreigners captured by Russian forces after the Ukrainian Armed Forces' offensive in the Kursk region, and accused of mercenary activities. He served in the British Army from 2019 to 2023, before deciding to join the Ukrainian Armed Forces' International Legion.
