Russian soldier jailed for all times in first struggle crimes trial of Ukraine war

KYIV, Could 23 (Reuters) - A Ukrainian court sentenced a Russian soldier to life in prison on Monday for killing an unarmed civilian within the first struggle 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 in the northeastern Ukrainian village of Chupakhivka on Feb. 28, four days after the invasion. learn more

Choose Serhiy Agafonov stated Shishimarin, finishing up a "felony order" by a soldier of higher rank, had fired a number of shots on the sufferer's head from an automated weapon. read extra

Register

"Given that the crime committed is against the law in opposition to peace, security, humanity and the international authorized order ... the court docket does not see the opportunity of imposing a (shorter) sentence," he mentioned.

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

Shishmarin's lawyer, Viktor Ovsyannikov, mentioned he was not stunned by the sentence because there had been "sure pressure from society" and mentioned he would launch a legal attraction.

The trial, which began only final week, has big symbolic significance for Ukraine and a global lawyer told Reuters it could be the first of many. read extra

Kyiv has accused Russia of atrocities and brutality towards civilians in the course of the invasion and stated it has identified more than 10,000 possible warfare crimes. Russia has denied concentrating on civilians or involvement in conflict crimes while it carries out what it calls a "special military operation" in Ukraine.

Russian soldier Vadim Shishimarin, 21, suspected of violations of the laws and norms of struggle, stands inside a cage during a courtroom hearing, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine Might 23, 2022. REUTERS/Viacheslav Ratynskyi

Read More

The Kremlin did not immediately touch upon the verdict. It has beforehand stated that it has no information about the trial and that the absence of a diplomatic mission in Ukraine limits its capacity to offer assistance.

Ukrainian state prosecutors mentioned Shishimarin and 4 different Russian servicemen stole a car to flee after their column was focused by Ukrainian forces.

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

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

The court reached its verdict 5 days after holding its first full listening to.

Mark Ellis, govt director of the Worldwide Bar Affiliation, said the decision was "not shocking" and may very well be the primary part of "a big puzzle additionally involving Ukrainian troopers being held in Russia."

"If this is the baseline trial ... it sets the bar very excessive," he said. "For most other warfare crimes cases in Ukraine I suspect we'll see related sentences as a result of that is the baseline trial."

Register

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

Our Requirements: The Thomson Reuters Belief Rules.