Krasheninnikov: PMC Wagner members who laid down their arms will be able to avoid punishment

Pavel Krasheninnikov, Chairman of the State Duma Committee on State Construction, told Vedomosti that the members of the Wagner PMC who lay down their arms will be able to escape punishment.

“A criminal case has been initiated against the founder of PMC Wagner under Art. 279 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (armed rebellion). This is a particularly serious crime. In those acts that are carried out in Rostov-on-Don, there are signs of this crime. At the same time, there are people who are close to Prigozhin, and those of them who do not stain their hands with blood and lay down their arms can escape punishment, since they did not participate in organizing the rebellion,” Krasheninnikov said.

Therefore, there are calls for the fact that “the people who fought for Russia, participated in the special operation, should listen and at the same time can avoid punishment,” he added. At the same time, the deputy stressed that this is not about an amnesty, since “the legal nature of actions and consequences is different.”

Several Russian governors have called on residents of their regions who participate in the Wagner PMC to disobey Prigozhin’s orders. This statement was made by the head of North Ossetia, Sergei Menyailo. “I urge our countrymen serving in the ranks of PMCs not to obey Prigozhin’s criminal orders,” he said.

A similar statement was made by the governor of Primorsky Krai Oleg Kozhemyako. “I ask and appeal to the fighters of the Wagner PMC, to our Primorye residents who are now serving in these units – think again. Do not commit those criminal acts for which you will have to repent. Do not follow the lead of those commanders who have already taken this desperate step. Return to your units, return to your places of deployment,” Kozhemyako said.

The governor of the Kaliningrad region Anton Alikhanov made the same statement. “Taking this opportunity, I would like to address all Kaliningraders who serve in the ranks of Wagner PMC. Dear friends, you must stop following the criminal instructions of your leadership and obey the order of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, lay down your arms and move to your places of permanent deployment,” the governor said.

On the evening of June 23, on social networks associated with Prigozhin, on his behalf, it was announced about a missile attack on one of the rear camps of a military company and other statements were circulated. The Ministry of Defense stated that reports of attacks on Wagner PMC fighters are not true and are an “information provocation.” The Investigation Department of the FSB of Russia opened a criminal case on the organization of an armed rebellion against Prigozhin.

Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the citizens of Russia, the personnel of the Armed Forces, law enforcement agencies and special services. He stated that all those who prepared an armed rebellion, “took the path of blackmail and terrorist methods”, will be punished – “they will answer both before the law and before our people.”