Russia sentences Danish citizen Annabelle Jorgensen in absentia to 26 years in prison for fighting in Ukrainian military

A Russian military court has sentenced Danish citizen Annabelle Jorgensen in absentia to 26 years in prison and fined her 1.7 million rubles ($21,500) for fighting in the Ukrainian military, state media reported on Wednesday.

The court convicted her of multiple offenses, including mercenary activity and terrorism.

Jorgensen’s hearing began on June 9 and was held behind closed doors. State prosecutors sought a sentence of 30 years in prison and a 2.5-million-ruble ($31,600) fine.

According to the prosecution, Jorgensen fought in the Kursk region’s Sudzha district as part of a Ukrainian territorial defense battalion. The court ruled that she had attacked FSB border guards, Russian soldiers, and civilians, and had taken part in the seizure of residential buildings and a railway station in the town of Sudzha.

According to Kommersant, the main testimony against Jorgensen came from 22-year-old British citizen James Anderson, who was captured by Russian forces. In March, a Russian court sentenced Anderson to 19 years in prison, according to state media.