Former Wagner Mercenary from Kazakhstan Sentenced to Five Years in Prison

An Almaty court has sentenced Timur Praliev, a former Wagner PMC mercenary who fought in Russia’s war against Ukraine and was later detained while trying to illegally enter the United States, Orda.kz reports.

What Was Praliev Tried For?

According to court documents, in the fall of 2022, Almaty resident Timur Praliev decided to join the Russian military to fight in Ukraine. After crossing the border, he arrived in Orenburg, then moved to St. Petersburg and Krasnodar, where he was accepted into the Wagner Private Military Company. There, he was promised a monthly salary of 240,000 rubles (over 1.5 million tenge).

From November 2022 to October 2024, Praliev fought in Ukraine as a communications specialist, taking part in battles and receiving a medal for bravery. He was among the mercenaries who stormed Bakhmut, earning four additional medals. In 2023, he was issued a Russian passport, though he never applied to renounce his Kazakhstani citizenship.

Praliev also served with Wagner in Mali in 2024, where he took part in combat operations. In total, he was paid 4.16 million rubles (27.6 million tenge) for his service.

After leaving Wagner, he sought medical treatment in Minsk and Ufa before attempting to enter the United States.

In court, Praliev claimed to be seriously ill and requested a suspended sentence. His defense argued that, as a Russian citizen, he could not be tried in Kazakhstan. However, the court noted that he only held a Kazakh passport when he joined Wagner.

Why Was Praliev Detained in The US?

On January 4, Praliev was detained in Texas while attempting to illegally cross the US-Mexico border. He was carrying Kazakh and Russian passports, $4,000, 60,000 Mexican pesos, and a drone.

He admitted to serving in Wagner. An American prosecutor requested 15 days in immigration detention. Praliev was tried in the US and sentenced to time served before being deported.

When asked if he had anything to say, Praliev replied, “No,” in Russian. The judge concluded, “Buena suerte” (“All the best”).

On May 7, Praliev was deported to Kazakhstan. The Almaly District Court accepted his case in July, and in early September, his father was appointed as his public defender.

What Sentence Did The Court Impose?

The court found Praliev guilty of participation in armed conflict on the territory of a foreign state — a serious crime against peace and security — and sentenced him to five years in a medium-security penal colony, the minimum penalty under the article (which allows for five to nine years).

Praliev intentionally and unlawfully participated in an armed conflict and military operations on the territory of a foreign state,the verdict states.

His money was confiscated as criminally obtained, and he was ordered to pay 20 MCIs to the Victims’ Compensation Fund.

The court also listed assets to be forfeited to the state: $5,500, 500 Malian francs, five Russian rubles, and five Ukrainian hryvnias. His Russian passport will remain on file with the case, while his bank cards, medals, award certificates, and library cards will be destroyed.

Earlier, Orda.kz reported in detail on how Kazakh citizens are being recruited to fight in Ukraine.

Original Author: Nikita Drobny

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