Volodymyr Fomichev, who worked for Kyiv-based NGO Centre UA and was captured by Donetsk militants in Makiyivka on January 4, 2016, was sentenced by the so-called court of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic to two years in prison, Hromadske.TV reported.

Fomichev spent over seven months in prisons of the so-called Ministry for State Security (MSS), Hromadske.TV said. He is accused of allegedly brining two hand grenades from Kyiv to Makiyivka in eastern Ukraine. The sentence was announced on August 16.

Fomichev was also charged with alleged cooperation with the Svoboda Party, which he has never had connections with, according to his co-workers. Then, the last count was deleted from the indictment due to the lack of proof.

Fomichev's relatives had not wanted his captivity to hit the headlines, hoping to get him freed without the involvement of the media.

Fomichev's personal belongings seized by the MSS during his detention were returned to his parents early in May. Among the things is the man's sweater with a huge blood stain on the back. His father thinks that the son had been forced to admit under physical pressure the fact of transportation of the grenades, Hromadske.TV said.

The activist's parents plan to appeal against the ruling of the so-called DPR court, but chances to cancel the ruling are little. It is also not known whether he is on a prisoner swap list.

According to media reports, 23-year-old Fomichev is a member of NGO Centre UA, which investigates crimes committed by politicians, develops reform programs and monitors parliamentarians' performance.