Czech sniper sentenced to 21 years in jail for fighting against Ukraine

This is reported by the Czech News.

It is noted that the man killed at least four Ukrainian soldiers. The prosecutor asked for 25 years in prison, but the defense lawyer appealed the verdict, noting that he was probably already dead.

The court considered this case for the third time. The sniper was again found guilty of a terrorist attack and participation in a terrorist group. During the previous hearings, he was sentenced to 20 years in prison, but the verdict was based on Polákovi's own words on Facebook. Only now have the charges been supported by the conclusion of a military examination.

According to the state representative Marko Bodlak, the convict left Prague for the territory of the so-called 'DPR' in December 2016. He was armed and immediately began to perform combat missions. He also took an active part in battles against Ukrainian government units in the ranks of the so-called Republican Guard. At first, he worked as a sniper, then as a platoon leader.

"Polákovi was very active on Facebook - he often shared photos and his thoughts on his public profile, which is still available today. But he has been silent since April last year, when he posted a photo of a tank at a gas station in Donetsk," the statement says. 

Because the sniper had not posted on social media for a long time, the lawyer thought that he was no longer alive. However, the judge learned that in early summer, Polákovi continued to fight against Ukraine.

If the man returns to the Czech Republic, he can request a new trial. In such cases, the original sentence is automatically canceled, and the court sets a new trial, in which it cannot punish him more severely than originally.

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