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

KYIV, Might 23 (Reuters) - A Ukrainian courtroom sentenced a Russian soldier to life in jail 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, four days after the invasion. read more

Judge Serhiy Agafonov mentioned Shishimarin, finishing up a "prison order" by a soldier of higher rank, had fired several shots at the sufferer's head from an automatic weapon. learn extra

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"Provided that the crime committed is a crime towards peace, safety, humanity and the worldwide legal order ... the court docket does not see the possibility of imposing a (shorter) sentence," he stated.

Shishimarin, carrying a blue and grey hooded sweatshirt, watched proceedings silently from a reinforced 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, said he was not stunned by the sentence as a result of there had been "sure strain from society" and mentioned he would launch a authorized attraction.

The trial, which started solely last week, has large symbolic significance for Ukraine and a global lawyer informed Reuters it could possibly be the primary of many. learn extra

Kyiv has accused Russia of atrocities and brutality towards civilians through the invasion and stated it has identified greater than 10,000 attainable conflict crimes. Russia has denied focusing on civilians or involvement in warfare 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 struggle, stands inside a cage during a court docket hearing, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine May 23, 2022. REUTERS/Viacheslav Ratynskyi

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The Kremlin did not instantly touch upon the verdict. It has previously said that it has no details about the trial and that the absence of a diplomatic mission in Ukraine limits its capacity to provide help.

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

After driving into Chupakhivka, the soldiers noticed Shelipov driving a bicycle and talking on his phone. 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 reached its verdict 5 days after holding its first full hearing.

Mark Ellis, government director of the International Bar Affiliation, stated the verdict was "not shocking" and could possibly be the first part of "a big puzzle also involving Ukrainian soldiers being held in Russia."

"If that is the baseline trial ... it sets the bar very high," he said. "For many different struggle crimes instances in Ukraine I suspect we'll see related sentences because this is the baseline trial."

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

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