The Security Service of Ukraine and the Office of the Prosecutor General have documented yet another war crime committed by a judge of russia’s Southern district military court. The judge was involved in sentencing Ukrainian prisoners of war on the basis of fabricated charges. His full name cannot be disclosed at present due to procedural restrictions.

The investigation revealed that the official unlawfully sentenced a Ukrainian National Guard serviceman to 19 years’ imprisonment in a maximum-security prison.

It has been established that this judge staged a show trial based on fabricated charges to imprison the Ukrainian serviceman.

By doing so, the perpetrator grossly violated the norms of international law, under which the victim is considered a combatant in an armed conflict.

If captured, such a person is granted prisoner of war status and cannot be imprisoned for participating in hostilities.

Based on the evidence, SSU investigators have notified the judge of suspicion in absentia under Article 438.1 of the CCU (war crimes, specifically violations of Articles 99 and 130 of the 12 August 1949 Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War).

As he is currently in russia, efforts to bring him to justice for crimes against Ukrainians are underway.

The investigation was conducted under the procedural supervision of the Office of the Prosecutor General.