Russian soldier jailed for all times in first battle crimes trial of Ukraine conflict

KYIV, Might 23 (Reuters) - A Ukrainian court docket sentenced a Russian soldier to life in prison on Monday for killing an unarmed civilian in 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. read extra

Choose Serhiy Agafonov stated Shishimarin, finishing up a "criminal order" by a soldier of upper rank, had fired a number of shots on the sufferer's head from an computerized weapon. learn extra

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"Provided that the crime dedicated is against the law in opposition to peace, safety, humanity and the international legal order ... the courtroom does not see the possibility of imposing a (shorter) sentence," he said.

Shishimarin, wearing a blue and gray hooded sweatshirt, watched proceedings silently from a bolstered glass box in 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, stated he was not stunned by the sentence as a result of there had been "certain stress from society" and stated he would launch a legal enchantment.

The trial, which began solely last week, has enormous symbolic significance for Ukraine and a global lawyer informed Reuters it might be the first of many. learn more

Kyiv has accused Russia of atrocities and brutality towards civilians in the course of the invasion and said it has identified greater than 10,000 possible conflict crimes. Russia has denied concentrating on civilians or involvement in war crimes while it carries out what it calls a "particular navy operation" in Ukraine.

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

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The Kremlin didn't instantly touch upon the verdict. It has beforehand stated that it has no details about the trial and that the absence of a diplomatic mission in Ukraine limits its capability to provide assistance.

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

After driving into Chupakhivka, the troopers noticed Shelipov using a bicycle and talking on his phone. Shishimarin was ordered to kill Shelipov to forestall him reporting on their location, the prosecutors mentioned.

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

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

Mark Ellis, govt director of the Worldwide Bar Association, mentioned the decision was "not shocking" and may very well be the first a part of "a large puzzle also involving Ukrainian soldiers being held in Russia."

"If this is the baseline trial ... it sets the bar very high," he mentioned. "For many other conflict crimes cases in Ukraine I believe we'll see related sentences because this is the baseline trial."

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

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