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

KYIV, May 23 (Reuters) - A Ukrainian court 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 guilty 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 "legal order" by a soldier of higher rank, had fired a number of pictures on the sufferer's head from an automatic weapon. learn more

Register

"Given that the crime committed is a crime towards peace, safety, humanity and the worldwide authorized order ... the courtroom doesn't see the opportunity of imposing a (shorter) sentence," he said.

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 verdict was learn out. He stood with head bowed, listening to a translator.

Shishmarin's lawyer, Viktor Ovsyannikov, stated he was not shocked by the sentence as a result of there had been "certain stress from society" and mentioned he would launch a legal appeal.

The trial, which started solely final week, has enormous symbolic significance for Ukraine and a global lawyer instructed Reuters it could possibly be the first of many. read extra

Kyiv has accused Russia of atrocities and brutality towards civilians throughout the invasion and mentioned it has identified more than 10,000 potential struggle crimes. Russia has denied targeting 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 warfare, stands inside a cage throughout a court docket 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 said that it has no information about the trial and that the absence of a diplomatic mission in Ukraine limits its capacity to supply help.

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

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

In courtroom final week, Shishimarin acknowledged he was guilty and requested the victim's widow to forgive him.

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

Mark Ellis, govt director of the International Bar Association, said the verdict was "not shocking" and may very well be the first a part of "a large puzzle additionally involving Ukrainian soldiers being held in Russia."

"If this is the baseline trial ... it units the bar very excessive," he mentioned. "For many other conflict crimes instances in Ukraine I suspect we'll see comparable sentences because this is the baseline trial."

Register

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

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Belief Principles.