Man jailed for claiming he had fought for Wagner group in Ukraine

Piotr Kucharski wore insignia for proscribed terror group on combat clothing at Suffolk Viking re-enactment

A builder has been jailed for claiming at a Viking re-enactment that he had fought for the Wagner group in Ukraine.

Piotr Kucharski, 49, wore combat clothing bearing badges with insignia for the proscribed terror organisation to an event in Stonham Aspal, in Suffolk.

He was arrested after becoming aggressive, brandishing a dagger at attenders and making a throat-slitting gesture on 28 October last year.

Witnesses said the Polish national, who was living in the UK, had told them he had joined the Wagner group and fought for the organisation in Ukraine.

He had repeated the same claim in several Facebook posts and in messages to contacts.

On Friday at the Old Bailey, Kucharski was jailed for two-and-a-half years with a further year on extended licence for professing to be a member of a proscribed terrorist organisation.

In August, Kucharski had admitted the offence before posing for a photo for a reporter from the PA news agency while wearing symbols associated with extreme rightwing ideology and white supremacy.

In a police interview, Kucharski had said he had bought Wagner group badges and attached them to clothing to “provoke a reaction” from people at the re-enactment event because of differences in opinion regarding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

A picture of Adolf Hitler, a copy of Mein Kampf and other fascist memorabilia was found at his home.

He shared images of men in combat outfits holding weapons on social media and told contacts he was abroad and engaged in conflict.

Sentencing, Judge Mark Lucraft KC told the defendant: “In relation to the items found at your home, you said you were interested in second world war memorabilia, that you had purchased Mein Kampf because you thought it to be a sound financial investment, and the painting of Hitler was on display to prevent it from becoming damaged by mould in storage.

“Whilst I accept the freedom of expression and of speech that is a benefit of living in the UK, what concerns me here is the lack of understanding on your part of the impact of some of what you were saying and doing.”

The Guardian