Russian soldier jailed for life in first struggle crimes trial of Ukraine struggle

KYIV, May 23 (Reuters) - A Ukrainian court sentenced a Russian soldier to life in jail on Monday for killing an unarmed civilian within the first warfare crimes trial arising from Russia's invasion.

Vadim Shishimarin, a 21-year-old tank commander, had pleaded responsible to killing 62-year-old Oleksandr Shelipov within the northeastern Ukrainian village of Chupakhivka on Feb. 28, four days after the invasion. learn extra

Choose Serhiy Agafonov stated Shishimarin, finishing up a "legal order" by a soldier of higher rank, had fired a number of photographs on the victim's head from an automatic weapon. read more

Register

"On condition that the crime committed is against the law towards peace, safety, humanity and the international legal order ... the courtroom does not see the opportunity of imposing a (shorter) sentence," he stated.

Shishimarin, carrying a blue and gray hooded sweatshirt, watched proceedings silently from a bolstered glass field within the courtroom and confirmed no emotion as the decision was read out. He stood with head bowed, listening to a translator.

Shishmarin's lawyer, Viktor Ovsyannikov, said he was not stunned by the sentence as a result of there had been "sure pressure from society" and said he would launch a legal appeal.

The trial, which began only last week, has huge symbolic significance for Ukraine and a world lawyer advised Reuters it may very well be the primary of many. read more

Kyiv has accused Russia of atrocities and brutality against civilians throughout the invasion and stated it has identified more than 10,000 possible battle crimes. Russia has denied targeting civilians or involvement in conflict crimes whereas it carries out what it calls a "particular navy operation" in Ukraine.

Russian soldier Vadim Shishimarin, 21, suspected of violations of the legal guidelines and norms of warfare, stands inside a cage during a court docket hearing, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine Could 23, 2022. REUTERS/Viacheslav Ratynskyi

Read More

The Kremlin didn't instantly touch upon the verdict. It has beforehand mentioned that it has no information about the trial and that the absence of a diplomatic mission in Ukraine limits its skill to supply assistance.

Ukrainian state prosecutors stated Shishimarin and four other Russian servicemen stole a car to escape after their column was focused by Ukrainian forces.

After driving into Chupakhivka, the soldiers noticed Shelipov driving a bicycle and speaking on his phone. Shishimarin was ordered to kill Shelipov to stop him reporting on their location, the prosecutors stated.

In court docket last week, Shishimarin acknowledged he was to blame and asked the sufferer's widow to forgive him.

The courtroom reached its verdict 5 days after holding its first full hearing.

Mark Ellis, government director of the Worldwide Bar Association, stated the decision was "not shocking" and might be the first a part of "a large puzzle additionally involving Ukrainian soldiers being held in Russia."

"If that is the baseline trial ... it sets the bar very excessive," he stated. "For most different warfare crimes instances in Ukraine I believe we'll see similar sentences as a result of that is the baseline trial."

Register

Further reporting by Stephanie van den Berg in The Hague, Modifying by Tomasz Janowski and Frank Jack Daniel

Our Requirements: The Thomson Reuters Trust Ideas.