On June 4, Libyan court announced the verdicts for Russian, Ukrainian and Belorussian citizens who had been accused of complicity in the former dictator Muammar Kaddafi's regime.

      One Russian citizen was accused of coordinating the actions of all the convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment. The other Russians, as well as 19 Ukrainians and 3 Belorussians, received 10-year jail terms each. 

      The group of Russian, Belorussian and Ukrainian repairmen was detained by the rebel "Al-Kakaa" battalion in August 2011. They were all charged with the restoration of military equipment which was used by Kaddafi's forces during the civil war in Libya in 2011.

      The Libyan court has come to the conclusion that all these people served as contractors in Kaddafi's army. The accused themselves denied the charge, saying they had worked in Libya by civil contracts, not by militant.

      The defense attorney for the Russians doesn't agree with the verdict and is going to appeal it according to established order.

      Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not comment on the verdict yet. Previously the Ministry said Moscow would take all possible measures to return the accused Russians home.  

Sources: Lenta.ru Gazeta.ru Image: newsfiber.com