A court established by Russian authorities in eastern Ukraine has handed down a sentence of 13 years in a maximum-security prison to Australian citizen Oscar Jenkins. The charges alleged that he fought as a mercenary against Russian troops, according to statements made by pro-Russian officials on May 16th.
The so-called Supreme Court of the Russian-controlled Luhansk Oblast found Jenkins guilty under Russian criminal law for participating in armed conflict as a mercenary.
The Kremlin contends that mercenaries do not receive protection under international law as POWs and can face criminal charges.
The court claimed Jenkins arrived in
Ukraine
in February 2024 from Melbourne and entered into a contractual agreement with the
Ukrainian Defense Ministry
at a recruitment center in Ternopil. He was then allegedly deployed to
Donetsk Oblast
.
Jenkins, who served in the Ukrainian army’s 402nd Separate Rifle Battalion, which is part of Ukraine’s 66th Separate Mechanized Brigade, was reported missing near Mykolaivka in Luhansk Oblast on Dec. 16, 2024. Russian forces later
confirmed
his capture.
Unlike many of the foreign volunteers joining Ukraine’s fight against Russia, Jenkins lacks any prior military background. The Australian press characterized this individual as ”
much loved
a skilled cricketer and footballer from his community in Australia, he pursued studies in biomedical sciences prior to working as a lecturer in China. It is thought that he journeyed to Ukraine in 2024.
The Russian
FSB
mentioned it had looked into Jenkins’ situation and charged him with participating in “illegal activities” up until his detention in December. The proceedings and judgment against him were carried out by authorities not acknowledged globally and functioning under Moscow’s jurisdiction.
Canadian Foreign Minister Penny Wong
condemned
The sentencing was referred to as a “flawed trial.”
“We maintain significant worries regarding Mr. Jenkins’ well-being. We are collaborating with Ukraine and our allies, along with the International Committee of the Red Cross, to lobby for his wellbeing and liberation,” stated Wong in a declaration made on May 17.
Wong reiterated
Australia
‘ stance that Jenkins ought to be dealt with following international standards
humanitarian law
, and that Russia declined to acknowledge him as
prisoner of war
violates legal norms.
Australia
has been pressing
For Jenkins’ release following his capture, his case garnered global attention when Russian media broadcasted clips in December 2024 allegedly depicting him undergoing interrogation and physical abuse. Although several news sources subsequently questioned the veracity of these video records,
Russia
Ultimately verified with Australia that Jenkins was in custody and in “normal” health.
The Kremlin asserts that foreign fighters who have signed up to fight for Ukraine should be considered mercenaries, and therefore they do not view these individuals as being afforded protection under the Geneva Conventions.
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