Russian soldier jailed for life in first conflict crimes trial of Ukraine war

KYIV, Could 23 (Reuters) - A Ukrainian court docket sentenced a Russian soldier to life in prison 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 in the northeastern Ukrainian village of Chupakhivka on Feb. 28, 4 days after the invasion. learn more

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

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"On condition that the crime dedicated is a crime in opposition to peace, security, humanity and the worldwide authorized order ... the court docket doesn't see the potential for imposing a (shorter) sentence," he said.

Shishimarin, carrying a blue and grey hooded sweatshirt, watched proceedings silently from a strengthened glass box in the courtroom and confirmed 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 surprised by the sentence as a result of there had been "sure strain from society" and mentioned he would launch a authorized enchantment.

The trial, which started only final week, has big symbolic significance for Ukraine and a global lawyer informed Reuters it may very well be the primary of many. learn extra

Kyiv has accused Russia of atrocities and brutality against civilians in the course of the invasion and said it has recognized greater than 10,000 doable warfare crimes. Russia has denied concentrating on civilians or involvement in conflict crimes whereas it carries out what it calls a "particular navy operation" in Ukraine.

Russian soldier Vadim Shishimarin, 21, suspected of violations of the legal guidelines and norms of conflict, 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 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 capacity to provide assistance.

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

After driving into Chupakhivka, the troopers noticed Shelipov riding a bicycle and speaking on his phone. Shishimarin was ordered to kill Shelipov to forestall him reporting on their location, the prosecutors stated.

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

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

Mark Ellis, executive director of the Worldwide Bar Affiliation, mentioned the verdict was "not stunning" and could be the primary part of "a large puzzle also involving Ukrainian troopers being held in Russia."

"If that is the baseline trial ... it units the bar very high," he mentioned. "For many different war crimes cases in Ukraine I suspect 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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