The Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced Ukrainian «Azov» fighter Vladislav Shpak from Melitopol to 21 years in a high-security colony, reported «Mediazona»** in the court's press service. The captive is accused under the articles «participation in a terrorist community» and «undergoing training for the purpose of carrying out terrorist activities».
According to the investigation, in June 2020, 20-year-old Vladislav Shpak «with the aim of improving his financial situation, as well as for ideological reasons» signed a contract with the National Guard of Ukraine and joined the special forces unit «Azov». This accusation was qualified as «participation in a terrorist community».
In February 2022, when Russian troops invaded Ukraine, he and his comrades were transferred to Mariupol. Shpak participated in the defense of the «Azovstal» plant, and three months later, on May 17, surrendered as a prisoner by order of the command.
In the debates, the state prosecutor requested 19 years of high-security for Shpak. However, after this, the judge decided to return the process to the stage of judicial investigation, and in repeated debates a week later, the prosecutor requested 22 years for the Ukrainian. At the same time, in justifying his position, the prosecutor referred, among other things, to the Amnesty International report on violations of international law by Ukrainian military, despite the fact that it is recognized in Russia as an «undesirable» organization.
As reported by the «Mediazona» correspondent, the defendant himself, when asked if he feels «after the start of the military conflict» hostility towards the citizens and authorities of the Russian Federation, replied: «To the citizens — no, to the authorities — yes».
* Recognized in Russia as a «terrorist» organization.
** Recognized in Russia as «foreign agents».
Photo: Mediazona