A Russian military court sentenced British citizen James Scott Rhys Anderson to 19 years in prison on Wednesday after he was found guilty of terrorism and “mercenary activities” while fighting for Ukraine.
Anderson, 22, was captured in November in Russia’s Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces had launched a cross-border incursion.
Court footage circulating on social media showed Anderson being escorted into the courtroom in handcuffs, wearing a winter hat and jacket similar to a prison uniform, just before the verdict was read.
Rusya’da mahkeme, Kursk Bölgesi’nde Ukrayna Silahlı Kuvvetleri saflarında savaşan İngiliz paralı asker James Scott Rhys Anderson’a 19 yıl hapis cezası verdi pic.twitter.com/8ERX2QFnBV
— Sputnik Türkiye (@sputnik_TR) March 5, 2025
Anderson was sentenced to serve the first five years in prison, followed by 14 years in a maximum-security penal colony. Prosecutors had initially sought a 20-year sentence.
According to Russian investigators, Anderson illegally crossed into Russian territory and participated in “criminal acts against civilians” as part of an organized group. They further alleged that he intended to destabilize authorities and carried out acts of terrorism. However, the details of the prosecution’s evidence remain unclear.
The U.K. Foreign Office condemned Anderson’s sentencing, calling the charges “false” and stating that under international law, prisoners of war cannot be prosecuted for participating in hostilities.
“We demand that Russia respect its obligations under the Geneva Conventions and stop using prisoners of war for political and propaganda purposes,” a spokesperson said.
The British government also confirmed that it is in contact with Anderson’s family and is providing consular support.
Anderson is the first British citizen to be captured and sentenced in Russian territory since the start of the war, though two British nationals were previously sentenced to death in Russian-occupied Donetsk before being released in a prisoner exchange.
