Russian soldier jailed for life in first war crimes trial of Ukraine battle

KYIV, Could 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 guilty to killing 62-year-old Oleksandr Shelipov in the northeastern Ukrainian village of Chupakhivka on Feb. 28, four days after the invasion. learn extra

Decide Serhiy Agafonov stated Shishimarin, carrying out a "criminal order" by a soldier of upper rank, had fired a number of shots at the victim's head from an automated weapon. learn extra

Register

"On condition that the crime committed is a crime in opposition to peace, safety, humanity and the international authorized order ... the courtroom does not see the possibility of imposing a (shorter) sentence," he stated.

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

Shishmarin's lawyer, Viktor Ovsyannikov, mentioned he was not surprised by the sentence as a result of there had been "sure pressure from society" and mentioned he would launch a legal enchantment.

The trial, which started solely last week, has huge symbolic significance for Ukraine and a world lawyer advised Reuters it could possibly be the primary of many. read more

Kyiv has accused Russia of atrocities and brutality against civilians in the course of the invasion and mentioned it has recognized greater than 10,000 attainable battle crimes. Russia has denied concentrating on civilians or involvement in struggle crimes whereas it carries out what it calls a "special army operation" in Ukraine.

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

Learn Extra

The Kremlin did not instantly comment on 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 mentioned Shishimarin and four different Russian servicemen stole a automotive to flee after their column was targeted by Ukrainian forces.

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

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

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

Mark Ellis, govt director of the Worldwide Bar Affiliation, mentioned the decision was "not surprising" and could be the first a part of "a big puzzle also involving Ukrainian troopers being held in Russia."

"If that is the baseline trial ... it sets the bar very high," he stated. "For most other struggle crimes instances in Ukraine I suspect we'll see similar sentences as a result of that is the baseline trial."

Register

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

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.