A notorious underworld criminal released from prison by Vladimir Putin to fight for Russia in the war in Ukraine has been put to death after trying to desert his country, reports claim.
Zaur Aliyev, 47, was one-third of the way through an 18-year sentence when was accepted as a fighter.
He got his sentence ripped up under a controversial scheme that sees murderers, hardened convicts as well as other inmates go free to sign up and go into battle.
On release, they must spend at least six months on the frontline fighting for Wagner private military company, which works closely with Putin’s defence ministry.
If they stay alive, the remainder of their sentence is wiped clean and they are formally pardoned by the Russian president.
Tens of thousands of convicts were reportedly emptied from Russian prison cells to fight against Ukraine but now Telegram channel VChK-OGPU has reported that Aliyev - nicknamed Zaika or rabbit - sought to flee his frontline position.
He “decided to run away “according to our source, who said "fighters quickly caught Aliyev and he was shot.”
Wagner was founded by close Putin crony Yevgeny Prigozhin, who also runs “troll factories” pumping out pro-Kremlin propaganda on social media in Russia and abroad.
“He had been serving a long term, signed up for the Wagner PMC and was killed by Prigozhin's men while trying to escape,” reported the channel.
Before his conviction Aliyev was seen as leader of one of the most powerful Azerbaijani criminal clans in Moscow.
He was detained by officers of the Moscow Criminal Investigation Department in November 2014.
The special operation was carried out with the support of officers from Russia's Special Rapid Reaction Detachment.
Once detained he was beaten on the orders of a rival gang leader.
In 2016, Aliyev was sentenced by the Moscow City Court to 18 years in prison for robbery, kidnapping and extortion.
Putin’s desperation to recruit soldiers for the war meant Aliyev was allowed out of jail to fight despite having served only one third of his 18 year sentence, it was reported.
Prigozhin - nicknamed Putin's "chef" - last month warned prisoners that escapees would be summarily executed, although such killings appear outside the law.
“The first sin is deserting. No-one deserts, no-one gives up, no-one surrenders,” he told in-mates on a recruitment drive.
“You’ll be taught what to do regarding surrender. The second sin is alcohol and drugs in the war zone.
“The third sin is marauding - this includes sexual contacts with local women, men, flora, fauna, anyone.
“The minimum age we take is 22, the maximum is 50, and “good physical shape is a must”.
