A Russian military court imposed long sentences on 15 members of a Ukrainian paramilitary group on charges of belonging to a “terrorist association”, reported TASS and Reuters.
The sentences range from 15 to 21 years in prison in a maximum security penal colony,the General Prosecutor’s Office of the Russian Federation announced.
The convicts were captured in 2022, members of the Ukrainian “Aidar” battalion. The trial took place behind closed doors in the southern Russian city of rostov-on-Don.So far, there is no comment from Kiev on the sentences, but the Ukrainian ombudsman has already called the process “shameful”, notes Reuters.
Human rights organizations, including Russia’s Memorial, have said the prosecution of Ukrainian soldiers is a violation of the Geneva Conventions on the Treatment of Prisoners of War. Russia denies this because the accusations are based on actions that predate the war, which began in 2022.
Several Defendants Admit Guilt in Ongoing Russian Trial; Appeals Planned
Two defendants in a trial involving 18 individuals have admitted guilt, according to a lawyer quoted by Russian media outlet Mash. The remaining 13 defendants intend to appeal the proceedings. However, the trial is being conducted in stages, with three of the defendants’ cases being separated and tried independently, as reported by TASS. https://tass.com/
Details surrounding the charges against the 18 individuals remain limited in the provided text.Further investigation is needed to determine the nature of the alleged crimes and the context of the trial.
Note: As of October 17, 2024, information regarding this specific trial is limited in English-language sources. This response is based solely on the provided text and the linked TASS source. updates will be provided as more information becomes available from reliable sources.