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

KYIV, May 23 (Reuters) - A Ukrainian court docket sentenced a Russian soldier to life in prison on Monday for killing an unarmed civilian within the first conflict 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 "prison order" by a soldier of higher rank, had fired a number of pictures on the sufferer's head from an automatic weapon. read extra

Register

"Provided that the crime dedicated is a criminal offense towards peace, safety, humanity and the worldwide authorized order ... the court docket doesn't see the potential for imposing a (shorter) sentence," he stated.

Shishimarin, wearing a blue and gray hooded sweatshirt, watched proceedings silently from a reinforced glass field within the courtroom and confirmed no emotion as the decision 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 strain from society" and stated he would launch a authorized appeal.

The trial, which began solely final week, has large symbolic significance for Ukraine and a world lawyer told Reuters it could possibly be the first of many. read extra

Kyiv has accused Russia of atrocities and brutality in opposition to civilians during the invasion and stated it has identified greater than 10,000 potential war crimes. Russia has denied targeting civilians or involvement in warfare crimes while it carries out what it calls a "particular military operation" in Ukraine.

Russian soldier Vadim Shishimarin, 21, suspected of violations of the legal guidelines and norms of struggle, stands inside a cage throughout a court docket hearing, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine Could 23, 2022. REUTERS/Viacheslav Ratynskyi

Learn More

The Kremlin didn't immediately touch upon 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 skill to provide help.

Ukrainian state prosecutors stated Shishimarin and 4 different Russian servicemen stole a car to escape after their column was focused by Ukrainian forces.

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

In court docket final week, Shishimarin acknowledged he was to blame and asked the victim's widow to forgive him.

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

Mark Ellis, govt director of the International Bar Association, stated the verdict was "not surprising" and might be the first 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 mentioned. "For most other conflict crimes circumstances in Ukraine I suspect we'll see similar sentences because this is the baseline trial."

Register

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

Our Requirements: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.