Suspected of Killing Unarmed 62-Year-Old Civilian by Gunfire
Prospects of Prisoner Exchange with Ukrainian Azovstal Defenders
[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The first war crimes trial against a Russian soldier accused of killing civilians in Ukraine has been held, and the Ukrainian prosecution has reportedly sought a life sentence for the soldier.
According to AFP on the 19th (local time), the Ukrainian prosecution requested a life sentence during the second hearing of 21-year-old Sergeant Vadim Shishimarin, a member of the Russian Army's Kantemirovskaya Tank Division. Shishimarin is accused of shooting and killing an unarmed 62-year-old man who was riding a bicycle in the village of Chupakhivka in Sumy Oblast, northeastern Ukraine, on February 28.
Having already admitted to the charges during the first hearing the previous day, he gave a detailed testimony on this day, stating that he fired several close-range shots at the victim while leaving the village in a stolen Volkswagen car with other soldiers to join the main unit in Russia.
He said, "Another soldier pressured me in a coercive tone, saying that if I did not shoot, everyone would be put in danger," but admitted that the soldier who pressured him was not his superior and was an ordinary soldier whose name he did not know. When asked if he was obligated to follow the orders of an ordinary soldier, he answered, "No."
Sergeant Shishimarin also asked for forgiveness from the victim's wife. Looking at the widow who appeared in court, he said, "I know you cannot forgive me. But I ask for your forgiveness."
The victim's wife confronted Shishimarin, asking, "What are you here to liberate us from?" and "What did my husband ever do to you?" She then mentioned, "If it means saving our children in Mariupol, I would not oppose releasing Shishimarin and sending him back to Russia," which moved the courtroom audience.
This statement is interpreted as expressing hope for the safe return of Ukrainian soldiers who remained at the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol and surrendered to Russian forces after resisting until the end. While the Russian military is also expected to put the Azovstal defenders on trial for war crimes, future prisoner exchange negotiations between the two sides are anticipated.
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