Russian court: A mobilized believer has the right to alternative civilian service because of his beliefs

A court in Russia today confirmed that a man mobilized for the war against Ukraine is entitled to alternative civilian service in the civil service because of his religious beliefs, setting a precedent that could encourage other conscripts to resist going into combat.

Today, the regional court in St. Petersburg confirmed the verdict of the lower court, which assessed the recruitment of Pavel Mushumanski as illegal and ruled that he has the right to civil service in state institutions, his lawyer Aleksandar Peredruk announced.

Peredruk told The Associated Press that it was the first court ruling of its kind in Russia since authorities began mobilizing troops for the war against Ukraine last September.

Resistance to mobilization in Russia last year was a common occurrence, although the authorities stated that they managed to mobilize about 300.000 people, according to the plan.

Tens of thousands of men fled the country, some of those who remained avoided conscription officers and ignored summonses, and others, like Mushumanski, tried in court to win the right to alternative civilian service.

Publicly known earlier attempts by conscripts to opt for alternative civilian service were not successful, although the Russian Constitution guarantees the right to replace military service with civilian work if it is contrary to a person's beliefs.

However, conscription officials and courts have argued until now that there are no laws providing for such an option during mobilization.

According to media reports, Mushumanski, an evangelical Christian, received a permit in 2019 for alternative civil service instead of conscription and worked for almost two years in a psychiatric institution.

When he was drafted into the army last year, days after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced "partial mobilization", Mushumanski applied for alternative service, but was rejected and sent to a military unit.

Mushumanski filed a lawsuit in court, and in the meantime he refused to wear a uniform and obey the orders of military commanders.

The court in Gatčina sided with Mushumanski in November, but the recruitment officers appealed the verdict, which was confirmed by the higher court today. The ruling took effect immediately, Peredruk said.