Two Russian men have been jailed, each for more than two years, for refusing combat assignments.
Andrey Kapatsyna, a Pentecostalist, was sentenced to 34 months in prison; Dmitry Vasilets, a Buddhist, was given a 26-month term. Each cited religious beliefs as a reason to refuse combat assignments.
Russia’s constitution recognizes the right of conscientious objectors to choose alternative forms of national service. But current mobilization orders make no provision for that option.