By Scoop Reporter
GOVERNMENT has written to the Russian Government demanding answers how a jailed Zambian student ended up dying in Ukraine in the on-going war.
A 23-year-old Zambian student, who was studying nuclear engineering in Russia died while fighting in Ukraine. Nathan Nyirenda was in April 2020 convicted of drug possession and sentenced to nine years and six months’ imprisonment.
However, the Zambian Government has been notified that Mr. Nyirenda died on September 22 this year, while fighting in Ukraine.
Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Stanley Kakubo says Government has written the Russian Government to explain how Mr. Nyirenda was recruited and sent to fight at the battle front in Ukraine when he was supposed to be serving a jail sentence.
Speaking at a media briefing in Lusaka, Monday, Kakubo said the body of Nyirenda is being prepared for repatriation from Rostov, Russia to Zambia.
The minister said he has visited the deceased’s family and will communicate further details of the case, once Russian authorities give details surrounding the death.
