A Moldovan was sentenced to three years in jail for fighting as a mercenary. The sentence was pronounced by the Centru Court of Chisinau after the prosecution proved that this took part in the armed conflict in eastern Ukraine, IPN reports.

According to the Prosecutor General’s Office, the man was accused of enrolling for doing military service at the “Sparta” Battalion of the separatist forces of Donetsk region in the spring of 2014. There, he took part in the armed conflict in eastern Ukraine as a soldier for money.

The 23-year-old man was arrested at the Chisinau International Airport on November 5 this year. When he was questioned by prosecutors, he accepted his blame. The sentence can be appealed to a higher court.

Five persons have been convicted of similar actions since 2014. Four persons are being investigated for fighting as merchants. One of these was brought to justice and the court is to pass judgment in this case.