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

KYIV, May 23 (Reuters) - A Ukrainian courtroom sentenced a Russian soldier to life in prison 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

Choose Serhiy Agafonov said Shishimarin, finishing up a "criminal order" by a soldier of upper rank, had fired a number of photographs at the victim's head from an computerized weapon. read more

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"Given that the crime dedicated is a crime in opposition to peace, safety, humanity and the international legal order ... the courtroom does not see the possibility of imposing a (shorter) sentence," he said.

Shishimarin, sporting a blue and gray hooded sweatshirt, watched proceedings silently from a bolstered glass box in the courtroom and confirmed no emotion as the decision was learn out. He stood with head bowed, listening to a translator.

Shishmarin's lawyer, Viktor Ovsyannikov, stated he was not shocked by the sentence as a result of there had been "certain pressure from society" and said he would launch a legal attraction.

The trial, which started only final week, has huge symbolic significance for Ukraine and a global lawyer instructed Reuters it could be the primary of many. learn extra

Kyiv has accused Russia of atrocities and brutality towards civilians during the invasion and mentioned it has recognized more than 10,000 attainable warfare crimes. Russia has denied targeting civilians or involvement in battle crimes whereas 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 courtroom 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 instantly touch upon the decision. It has beforehand mentioned that it has no information about the trial and that the absence of a diplomatic mission in Ukraine limits its skill to provide assistance.

Ukrainian state prosecutors said 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 saw Shelipov driving a bicycle and talking on his phone. Shishimarin was ordered to kill Shelipov to stop him reporting on their location, the prosecutors stated.

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

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

Mark Ellis, govt director of the Worldwide Bar Affiliation, said the verdict was "not surprising" and could possibly be the primary part of "a large puzzle also involving Ukrainian soldiers being held in Russia."

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