Ukraine begins first war crimes trial of Russian soldier - Will Putin also face war crime trial!
Since the February 24 Russian military invasion of Ukraine, the Russian military have been committing several atrocities and crimes against humanity in Ukraine.
What's classified as war crime according to International Humanitarian Laws is as follows:
- killing innocent civilians during war time.
- shooting a soldier that has surrender with alms stretched out.
- targeting an airstrike towards a civilian populated area.
These are the few International Humanitarian Laws that I could present, although there are numerous laws, if broken could amount to war crimes.
Since the beginning of the war, many have asked when will the Russian military officers be brought to book in terms of the numerous war crimes they've committed in Ukraine. Thank God today being Friday 13, May the first war crime trial has kicked off in Ukraine.
A 21-year-old Russian soldier went on trial Friday in Kyiv for the killing of an unarmed Ukrainian civilian, marking the first war crime prosecution of a member of the Russian military from 11 weeks of bloodshed in Ukraine.Source
This is actually a welcomed development for pro-Ukraine supporters and will serve as a wake up call for all Russian military personnel who think they can go scores free for the crimes they've committed in Ukraine for the past 11 weeks of attacks on innocent citizens of Ukraine.
The soldier, a captured member of a tank unit is accused of shooting a 62-year-old Ukrainian man in the head through an open car window in the northeastern village of Chupakhivka during the first days of the war.
Scores of journalists and cameras packed inside a small courtroom at the Solomyanskyy district court in Ukraine's capital, where the suspect, Sgt. Vadim Shyshimarin, sat in a glassed-off area wearing a blue and grey hoodie, sweatpants and a shaved head.Source
Shooting a civilian whether from a close range or not doesn't matter, what matters is that killing a civilian in times of war is a crime against humanity and justice must take it's course. Bringing the Russian soldier to the court will prove that International Humanitarian Laws are still obeyed and enforced.
He faces up to life in prison under a section of the Ukrainian criminal code that addresses the laws and customs of war. Ukraine’s top prosecutor, with help from foreign experts, is investigating allegations that Russian troops violated Ukrainian and international law by killing, torturing and abusing possibly thousands of Ukrainian civilians.Source
There's a current investigation ongoing to ascertain whether the crime the soldier is accused of has amounted to a violation of International laws as well as the Ukrainian laws on killing. Although, mich time wasn't taken in court today, pending the investigation of the soldier's action in February.
Friday's hearing in Shyshimarin's case was brief. A judge asked him to provide his name, address, marital status and other identifying details. He also was asked whether he understood his rights, quietly replying “yes,” and if wanted a jury trial, which he declined.Source
Waiting for the decision of the jury, the accused was asked some vital questions relating to himself.
Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova's office has said it is looking into more than 10,700 potential war crimes involving more than 600 suspects, including Russian soldiers and government officials.Source
The current investigation on the possible war crimes committed in Ukraine by the Russian military as well as government officials will be brought to the International Court of Justice in Hague. It should be noted that, the same investigations is still carried out by the Russians against the Ukrainian military and will be unveiled as time goes on.