According to the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Irkutsk region, a court verdict has been delivered in the city of Bratsk against four foreign citizens and one local woman. They were found guilty of crimes related to the desecration of military glory symbols and the organization of illegal migration.
According to the investigation, in September 2024, during a wedding ceremony, a group of foreigners took photos in front of the Memorial of Glory in Bratsk. At that time, one of them climbed onto the monument, while two others danced to loud music near the Eternal Flame. These actions were circulated on social media and attracted public attention.
Furthermore, the investigation revealed cases related to illegal migration. Specifically, one of the defendants obtained a residence permit in 2021 by entering into a sham marriage with a Russian citizen. Later, in 2022, in collusion with this woman, he registered the paternity of his child to another foreign citizen based on false information, which allowed the latter to obtain the right to reside legally in Russia.
According to the court's decision, the defendants were given suspended sentences ranging from 2.5 to 3 years. Some individuals were prohibited from working in public service, as well as engaging in pedagogical and scientific activities. Additionally, the records of the sham marriage and paternity were annulled.
