For the first time ever, Russia acquits a draftee charged with evading non-military service

A district court in Volgograd has become the first court in Russia to acquit a draftee charged with evading non-military service. Konstantin Titov was assigned to work at an assisted living community for the elderly and disabled, but the state failed to provide him with dormitory housing, as required by the law. Titov faced a fine of 80,000 rubles ($1,265) or half a year’s salary, 480 hours community service, or six months in jail. Local prosecutors say they will appeal the verdict.

According to the newspaper Kommersant, Russian courts have tried 30 people for evading alternative civilian service over the past 10 years, convicting all of them, until Konstantin Titov.