Pavel Kafka, a Czech national convicted by a Czech court of partaking in hostilities against the Ukrainian Armed Forces on the side of the “DPR” terrorist organization, wrote a letter to the Ukrainian embassy in the country expressing regret over siding with Russian proxy forces.
That’s according to the Glavkom outlet referring to the Ambassador of Ukraine to the Czech Republic, Yevhen Perebyinis.
The envoy said that in the letter, the convict had expressed his will to apologize to all of Ukraine. Kafka wrote that, when he had sided with pro-Russian forces in 2015, he didn’t realize the implications of his actions, adding that he personally took no part in any combat operations.
At the same time, Perebyinis noted that the mercenary’s words shouldn’t be taken at face value as the court has proved the fact of Kafka’s involvement in the actual hostilities.
The Ukrainian diplomat noted that in conclusion, the convict wrote he would like to apologize to Ukraine, adding that he believes Ukraine will be able to regain its territorial integrity through diplomacy.
In addition, the report says Pavel Kafka took part in hostilities in 2015-2016 as part of the “DPR” terrorist organization. He underwent special training as a soldier with a tank unit, then served as a marksman and driver.
In July 2020, the České Budějovice Regional Court convicted Kafka of terrorism and participation in an organized criminal group. He was sentenced to three years probation and a five-year suspended sentence. However, on December 5, 2020, the Prague Supreme Court altered the sentence, putting the convict behind bars for a term of three years.
Glavkom recalls that the courts in the Czech Republic have handed down a number of similar verdicts, while law enforcement are investigating more cases of more than 20 Czech nationals over their involvement in the Donbas conflict on the side of Russia-controlled illegal armed groups.