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

KYIV, Might 23 (Reuters) - A Ukrainian court sentenced a Russian soldier to life in jail on Monday for killing an unarmed civilian in the first war 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, 4 days after the invasion. learn more

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

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"Given that the crime dedicated is a crime against peace, safety, humanity and the international authorized order ... the court docket does not see the opportunity of imposing a (shorter) sentence," he said.

Shishimarin, carrying a blue and gray hooded sweatshirt, watched proceedings silently from a strengthened glass field within 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, stated he was not stunned by the sentence as a result of there had been "certain stress from society" and said he would launch a authorized enchantment.

The trial, which began solely last week, has large symbolic significance for Ukraine and a world lawyer instructed Reuters it may very well be the primary of many. read extra

Kyiv has accused Russia of atrocities and brutality in opposition to civilians during the invasion and said it has recognized more than 10,000 possible struggle crimes. Russia has denied focusing on civilians or involvement in war 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 conflict, stands inside a cage throughout 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 comment on the verdict. It has beforehand said that it has no details about the trial and that the absence of a diplomatic mission in Ukraine limits its means to offer help.

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

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

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

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

Mark Ellis, executive director of the Worldwide Bar Affiliation, said the verdict was "not stunning" and may very well be the primary a part of "a large puzzle additionally involving Ukrainian troopers being held in Russia."

"If this is the baseline trial ... it units the bar very high," he stated. "For many other warfare crimes circumstances in Ukraine I suspect we'll see comparable sentences because this is the baseline trial."

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

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