OREANDA-NEWS  Serbian volunteer Alexander Jokic, who is fighting for Russia's interests in the zone of a special military operation, is threatened with deportation to his homeland and 25 years in prison under the article "mercenary activity," State Duma Deputy Alexander Khinstein said in his Telegram channel.

"A volunteer from Serbia, who is fighting for Russia's interests in the SVO zone, faces deportation to his homeland, where he will be given 25 years in prison under the article "mercenary activity," Khinstein wrote. The deputy said that Jokic took part in the liberation of Mariupol, and also fought in the Ugledar direction, as a result of which he was wounded. According to Khinstein, the fighter was awarded the St. George Cross lV and III degrees, as well as the medal "For the Liberation of Mariupol".

"He was refused citizenship of the Russian Federation four times due to the fact that the volunteer signed a contract with the DPR, and not the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation. Due to the fact that the Donetsk People's Republic is part of Russia, I do not see any grounds for refusal... There is a legal conflict that needs to be resolved, because we have no right to leave people in trouble who are risking their lives to protect our country," the deputy said. Khinstein said that he would contact the Main Directorate for Migration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in support of the volunteer.