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

KYIV, Could 23 (Reuters) - A Ukrainian courtroom sentenced a Russian soldier to life in prison on Monday for killing an unarmed civilian in the first battle 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, 4 days after the invasion. read more

Choose Serhiy Agafonov stated Shishimarin, carrying out a "criminal order" by a soldier of upper rank, had fired several shots on the victim's head from an automated weapon. read more

Register

"Provided that the crime committed is against the law towards peace, security, humanity and the worldwide legal order ... the court docket doesn't see the potential for imposing a (shorter) sentence," he mentioned.

Shishimarin, sporting a blue and gray hooded sweatshirt, watched proceedings silently from a reinforced glass box in the courtroom and showed no emotion as the verdict was learn out. He stood with head bowed, listening to a translator.

Shishmarin's lawyer, Viktor Ovsyannikov, said he was not surprised by the sentence because there had been "certain strain from society" and said he would launch a authorized attraction.

The trial, which started solely final week, has big symbolic significance for Ukraine and an international lawyer told Reuters it could possibly be the first of many. learn extra

Kyiv has accused Russia of atrocities and brutality in opposition to civilians through the invasion and mentioned it has identified more than 10,000 potential warfare crimes. Russia has denied targeting civilians or involvement in war crimes whereas 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 warfare, stands inside a cage during a courtroom hearing, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine Could 23, 2022. REUTERS/Viacheslav Ratynskyi

Read More

The Kremlin did not immediately comment on the decision. It has previously stated that it has no information about the trial and that the absence of a diplomatic mission in Ukraine limits its ability to provide assistance.

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

After driving into Chupakhivka, the troopers saw Shelipov riding a bicycle and talking on his telephone. Shishimarin was ordered to kill Shelipov to stop him reporting on their location, the prosecutors mentioned.

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

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

Mark Ellis, executive director of the Worldwide Bar Association, mentioned the verdict was "not stunning" and might be the first part of "a large puzzle additionally involving Ukrainian troopers being held in Russia."

"If that is the baseline trial ... it sets the bar very excessive," he mentioned. "For most different war crimes circumstances in Ukraine I think we'll see related sentences because this 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 Principles.