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

KYIV, May 23 (Reuters) - A Ukrainian court sentenced a Russian soldier to life in prison on Monday for killing an unarmed civilian within 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 extra

Judge Serhiy Agafonov stated Shishimarin, carrying out a "criminal order" by a soldier of higher rank, had fired a number of shots at the sufferer's head from an automatic weapon. read more

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"Provided that the crime committed is a criminal offense towards peace, safety, humanity and the international authorized order ... the court does not see the possibility of imposing a (shorter) sentence," he said.

Shishimarin, carrying a blue and gray hooded sweatshirt, watched proceedings silently from a bolstered glass box within the courtroom and showed 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 surprised by the sentence because there had been "certain pressure from society" and mentioned he would launch a legal attraction.

The trial, which started solely last week, has enormous symbolic significance for Ukraine and a global lawyer told Reuters it might be the first of many. read extra

Kyiv has accused Russia of atrocities and brutality towards civilians in the course of the invasion and stated it has recognized more than 10,000 potential battle crimes. Russia has denied concentrating on civilians or involvement in conflict crimes whereas it carries out what it calls a "special army operation" in Ukraine.

Russian soldier Vadim Shishimarin, 21, suspected of violations of the legal guidelines and norms of war, stands inside a cage during a court docket 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 comment on the verdict. It has beforehand mentioned that it has no details about the trial and that the absence of a diplomatic mission in Ukraine limits its means to offer assistance.

Ukrainian state prosecutors said Shishimarin and 4 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 talking on his phone. Shishimarin was ordered to kill Shelipov to forestall him reporting on their location, the prosecutors said.

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

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

Mark Ellis, govt director of the Worldwide Bar Affiliation, said the verdict was "not surprising" and may very well be the first a part of "a big puzzle additionally involving Ukrainian troopers being held in Russia."

"If that is the baseline trial ... it units the bar very excessive," he said. "For many different warfare crimes instances in Ukraine I suspect we'll see comparable sentences as a result of this 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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