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

KYIV, May 23 (Reuters) - A Ukrainian courtroom sentenced a Russian soldier to life in jail on Monday for killing an unarmed civilian in the first struggle 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 in the northeastern Ukrainian village of Chupakhivka on Feb. 28, four days after the invasion. learn extra

Choose Serhiy Agafonov stated Shishimarin, carrying out a "felony order" by a soldier of higher rank, had fired several photographs on the sufferer's head from an automated weapon. learn extra

Register

"Provided that the crime committed is against the law against peace, safety, humanity and the international authorized order ... the court doesn't see the opportunity of imposing a (shorter) sentence," he mentioned.

Shishimarin, carrying a blue and grey hooded sweatshirt, watched proceedings silently from a strengthened glass box within the courtroom and showed no emotion as the decision 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 "certain strain from society" and said he would launch a legal attraction.

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

Kyiv has accused Russia of atrocities and brutality towards civilians throughout the invasion and mentioned it has identified greater than 10,000 doable struggle crimes. Russia has denied targeting civilians or involvement in warfare crimes whereas it carries out what it calls a "special navy operation" in Ukraine.

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

Read Extra

The Kremlin did not immediately comment on the verdict. It has previously stated that it has no information about the trial and that the absence of a diplomatic mission in Ukraine limits its means to offer assistance.

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

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

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

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

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

"If this is the baseline trial ... it units the bar very high," he mentioned. "For many different conflict crimes circumstances in Ukraine I think we'll see comparable sentences because that is the baseline trial."

Register

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

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Belief Rules.