The 21-year-old admitted early in the trial that he had shot an unarmed civilian in the head. He faces up to life in prison.
Nearly three months after the start of the Russian war of aggression, the first trial for alleged war crimes began in the Ukrainian capital of Kiev on Wednesday. The 21-year-old Russian defendant admitted his guilt early in the trial, local media reported.
The beginning of the trial was broadcast live on the Internet. The tanker is accused of killing a 62-year-old civilian in the Sumy region of northeastern Ukraine. “I was told to shoot, I shot him once. He fell and we moved on,” the Siberian noncommissioned officer said in a video released by Ukrainian authorities in early May. He now faces life in prison.
Based on reports from international human rights organizations, Kiev accuses the Russian army of mass war crimes. The International Criminal Court (ICC) is also investigating alleged international crimes. The process in Kiev is therefore considered significant. It must only be the prelude to several other procedures.
Russia denies war crimes allegations
Especially after the Russians withdrew from the suburbs of Bucha, Irpin, Hostomel and Borodjanka, northwest of Kiev, images of people apparently executed caused horror around the world.
Russia has denied the allegations of war crimes in principle and, in return, accuses Ukraine of mistreating and pressuring Russian prisoners. Human rights activists have repeatedly called on both sides to protect the rights of prisoners of war.
The Kremlin also said it had no information about the case at Wednesday’s trial. “Possibilities for support are also very limited due to the lack of diplomatic representation on the ground,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
(APA/dpa/Red.)