Russian President Vladimir Putin has pardoned a convicted murderer after he decided to enlist to fight in Ukraine. The killer, Vladislav Kanius, was sentenced to 17 years in prison for the brutal murder of his ex-lover, Vera Pekhteleva. But he spent less than a year in jail.
According to The Sun, Kanius stabbed his girlfriend 111 times and raped and tortured her for three and a half hours after breaking up with her. He then strangled her with an iron wire. Neighbors heard his screams and called the police seven times, but there was no response.
The incident came to light after Vera Pekhteleva’s mother, Oksana, found a photo of Kanius armed in military uniform. ‘This is a blow to me,’ lamented the grieving mother. My child will rot in his grave and I am deprived of everything – my life, my hope.’
Alyona Popova, a women’s rights activist, said on Wednesday that prison authorities had confirmed Kanius’ transfer to Rostov, in southern Russia, on the border with Ukraine. He shared a letter dated November 3 from the Office of the Prosecutor General of Russia. According to the letter, Kanius was pardoned and pardoned by presidential decree on April 27.
He is said to have been pardoned and sent to war. In this news, the victim’s mother said, ‘How can a cruel murderer be given a weapon? Why was he sent to the front—to protect Russia? He’s dirty, he’s not human.’
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Russian prisoners sent to fight in Ukraine are atoning for their crimes with blood. Those found guilty, including of serious crimes, are atoning for their crimes on the battlefield with blood.
