Zambian government has disclosed that a 23 year old Zambian student who was studying nuclear engineering in Russia died while fighting in Ukraine when he was supposed to be serving a sentence in a Moscow prison.

Nathan Nyirenda was in April 2020 convicted of drug possession and sentenced to nine years and six months imprisonment.

However, it was reported that Nyirenda died on September 22 this year, while fighting in Ukraine.

Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Stanley Kakubo has disclosed that the government has written the Russian government to explain how Nyirenda was recruited and sent to fight at the battle front in Ukraine when he was supposed to be serving a sentence.

Speaking at a media briefing in Lusaka today, 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 of Nyirenda.

Source: Kalemba