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 prison 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 guilty to killing 62-year-old Oleksandr Shelipov within the northeastern Ukrainian village of Chupakhivka on Feb. 28, 4 days after the invasion. read more

Choose Serhiy Agafonov stated Shishimarin, finishing up a "legal order" by a soldier of upper rank, had fired several pictures at the sufferer's head from an computerized weapon. read more

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"On condition that the crime committed is a crime in opposition to peace, security, humanity and the international legal order ... the courtroom does not see the potential of imposing a (shorter) sentence," he stated.

Shishimarin, carrying a blue and gray hooded sweatshirt, watched proceedings silently from a reinforced glass box in 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 "sure pressure from society" and said he would launch a legal attraction.

The trial, which began only final week, has large symbolic significance for Ukraine and an international lawyer instructed Reuters it could possibly be the primary of many. read extra

Kyiv has accused Russia of atrocities and brutality towards civilians through the invasion and said it has identified more than 10,000 potential conflict crimes. Russia has denied targeting civilians or involvement in war crimes while it carries out what it calls a "special army operation" in Ukraine.

Russian soldier Vadim Shishimarin, 21, suspected of violations of the laws and norms of conflict, stands inside a cage during 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 mentioned that it has no details about the trial and that the absence of a diplomatic mission in Ukraine limits its capability to provide assistance.

Ukrainian state prosecutors stated Shishimarin and four different Russian servicemen stole a car to flee after their column was targeted by Ukrainian forces.

After driving into Chupakhivka, the soldiers noticed Shelipov using a bicycle and speaking on his cellphone. Shishimarin was ordered to kill Shelipov to forestall him reporting on their location, the prosecutors mentioned.

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

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

Mark Ellis, govt director of the Worldwide Bar Association, stated the verdict was "not shocking" and could possibly be the primary a part of "a large puzzle additionally involving Ukrainian soldiers being held in Russia."

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

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

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