Russian soldier Vadim Shishimarin, the first person to go on trial for a war crime – the murder of a civilian in the Sumy region, is still serving his sentence in Ukraine, although there was an offer to exchange him.
Yuriy Bielousov, Head of the Department for Combating Crimes Committed during the Armed Conflict at the Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO), said this in an interview with Ukrinform.
“Yes, he is in Ukraine,” Bielousov said when asked if Shishimarin was serving a sentence.
Asked whether the Russians wanted to exchange him, Bielousov said that this issue was raised but Ukraine does not extradite Shishimarin.
In total, 17 Russian soldiers have been convicted of war crimes and are serving their sentences in Ukraine.
At the same time, the Prosecutor General’s Office opposes the exchange of convicted Russian soldiers for serious war crimes – murder, rape, etc.
“In each case, the issue is considered separately. If our people were not there, the question would be different, and if we understand that our people are there, then this should be taken into account. This is a complex process that involves the Security Service, the Main Intelligence Directorate, which are directly involved in these negotiations. I do not rule out that such exchanges could potentially happen. However, according to general rules, we do not exchange those who have committed grave crimes, because this is the principled position of the Prosecutor General’s Office,” Bielousov said.
In May 2022, Kyiv’s Solomianskyi District Court sentenced Russian military officer Vadim Shishimarin to life imprisonment for the murder of a civilian in the Sumy region.
In July 2022, Kyiv Court of Appeal changed the sentence for Shishimarin from life imprisonment to 15 years.
Photo: Sudovyi Reporter
Source: PGO: Ukraine did not exchange Russian soldier Shishimarin, first person to be convicted of war crime
