Russian soldier jailed for all times in first war 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 in 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

Choose Serhiy Agafonov said Shishimarin, finishing up a "legal order" by a soldier of higher rank, had fired several shots at the victim's head from an computerized weapon. read more

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"Provided that the crime dedicated is a crime against peace, security, humanity and the worldwide legal order ... the courtroom doesn't see the potential of imposing a (shorter) sentence," he stated.

Shishimarin, wearing a blue and gray hooded sweatshirt, watched proceedings silently from a reinforced glass box within the courtroom and showed no emotion as the decision was read 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 stated he would launch a legal enchantment.

The trial, which began solely last week, has enormous symbolic significance for Ukraine and an international lawyer instructed Reuters it could 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 more than 10,000 possible warfare crimes. Russia has denied concentrating on civilians or involvement in warfare crimes while it carries out what it calls a "special navy 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 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 comment on the decision. It has beforehand mentioned that it has no information about the trial and that the absence of a diplomatic mission in Ukraine limits its capability to supply help.

Ukrainian state prosecutors mentioned Shishimarin and four other Russian servicemen stole a automotive to escape after their column was targeted by Ukrainian forces.

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

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

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

Mark Ellis, government director of the Worldwide Bar Affiliation, said the decision was "not surprising" and could be the primary a part of "a large puzzle additionally involving Ukrainian soldiers being held in Russia."

"If that is the baseline trial ... it units the bar very excessive," he said. "For most different war crimes instances in Ukraine I think we'll see similar sentences as a result of 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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