Russian soldier jailed for life in first conflict 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 warfare 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. learn extra

Decide Serhiy Agafonov said Shishimarin, finishing up a "prison order" by a soldier of upper rank, had fired a number of pictures on the victim's head from an computerized weapon. learn extra

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"On condition that the crime dedicated is a crime towards peace, security, humanity and the worldwide legal order ... the court docket does not see the potential for imposing a (shorter) sentence," he mentioned.

Shishimarin, wearing a blue and grey hooded sweatshirt, watched proceedings silently from a bolstered glass box within 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 shocked by the sentence because there had been "certain stress from society" and mentioned he would launch a authorized attraction.

The trial, which began solely final week, has big symbolic significance for Ukraine and a world lawyer told Reuters it may very well be the primary of many. learn extra

Kyiv has accused Russia of atrocities and brutality towards civilians in the course of the invasion and said it has identified greater than 10,000 potential war crimes. Russia has denied focusing on civilians or involvement in conflict crimes whereas it carries out what it calls a "special military operation" in Ukraine.

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

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The Kremlin didn't instantly comment on the verdict. It has beforehand mentioned that it has no information about the trial and that the absence of a diplomatic mission in Ukraine limits its ability to provide assistance.

Ukrainian state prosecutors said Shishimarin and 4 other Russian servicemen stole a car to flee after their column was targeted 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 mentioned.

In court docket final week, Shishimarin acknowledged he was guilty 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, executive director of the International Bar Affiliation, stated the verdict was "not shocking" and could possibly be the primary part of "a big puzzle also involving Ukrainian soldiers being held in Russia."

"If this is the baseline trial ... it units the bar very excessive," he mentioned. "For most other battle crimes circumstances in Ukraine I think we'll see comparable sentences because that is the baseline trial."

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

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