Chechen Convict Pardoned, Deployed to Ukraine

Temirlan Eskerkhanov, convicted for his role in the 2015 murder of Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, has been pardoned by President Vladimir Putin and deployed to fight in Ukraine after signing a contract with the Defense Ministry. Eskerkhanov was sentenced to 14 years in prison in 2017 for assisting in the assassination, while the actual shooter received a 20-year sentence. His release has drawn sharp criticism from Nemtsov's associates, including Ilya Yashin, who condemned it as a mockery of Nemtsov's memory. The assassination remains controversial, with many believing the true masterminds, potentially linked to the Chechen leadership, have not been held accountable. Eskerkhanov's military contract is for one year, and he has already joined an assault unit in the conflict zone. The incident highlights ongoing concerns about justice for political dissenters in Russia and the involvement of convicted criminals in military operations.