Russian soldier jailed for all times in first warfare crimes trial of Ukraine warfare

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

Judge Serhiy Agafonov said Shishimarin, carrying out a "prison order" by a soldier of upper rank, had fired several pictures at the victim's head from an computerized weapon. learn extra

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"Provided that the crime committed is a crime in opposition to peace, security, humanity and the worldwide authorized order ... the court docket doesn't see the potential of imposing a (shorter) sentence," he stated.

Shishimarin, wearing a blue and grey hooded sweatshirt, watched proceedings silently from a bolstered 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, mentioned he was not shocked by the sentence as a result of there had been "certain pressure from society" and said he would launch a authorized enchantment.

The trial, which began solely last week, has huge symbolic significance for Ukraine and a world lawyer instructed Reuters it might be the primary of many. read extra

Kyiv has accused Russia of atrocities and brutality in opposition to civilians throughout the invasion and stated it has identified greater than 10,000 possible war crimes. Russia has denied focusing on civilians or involvement in struggle 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 conflict, stands inside a cage throughout a court listening to, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine May 23, 2022. REUTERS/Viacheslav Ratynskyi

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The Kremlin didn't immediately 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 ability to provide help.

Ukrainian state prosecutors said Shishimarin and four different Russian servicemen stole a automobile to flee after their column was focused by Ukrainian forces.

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

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

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

Mark Ellis, govt director of the Worldwide Bar Affiliation, stated the verdict was "not stunning" and may very well be the first part of "a large puzzle also involving Ukrainian troopers being held in Russia."

"If that is the baseline trial ... it sets the bar very high," he stated. "For most other struggle crimes cases in Ukraine I believe we'll see similar 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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