CNN
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Russia has declared an Australian man for 13 years in the largest security prison to fight parallel to Ukrainian forces, prosecutors in some Russian-controlled eastern Ukraine said on Friday.
Oscar Jenkins, 33, said in a statement that he was convicted by a Luhansk court for participating in an armed conflict in a statement after finding he fought Ukraine with Russia between March and December last year.
Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Saturday called her government “applause” at the ruling, calling it a “false trial” and urged Russia to treat Jenkins in accordance with international humanitarian law.
Australia has repeatedly called for the release of Melbourne native Jenkins since being captured by Russian troops in December.
“We continue to have serious concerns about Jenkins, and we are working with other partners, including Ukraine and the International Committee of the Red Cross, to advocate for his welfare and release,” Wong said in a statement.
Russian prosecutors accused Jenkins of fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine, being paid between $7,400 and $10,000 a month. The Kremlin argues that merc soldiers are subject to criminal prosecution and have no right to the protection of prisoners of war under international law.
In a photo shared by Luhansk’s Russian ruling court, Jenkins was seen standing in a glass cage with his hands behind his back.
The court ordered Jenkins to serve his sentence with maximum security. The prosecutor’s office said the prison colony.
According to Reuters, Jenkins is believed to have joined the international brigade among the Ukrainian ranks. His arrest came to light when the video surfaced on a Russian telegram account late last year, when Jenkins was told he was shown prisoner.
In the footage where CNN was unable to geologically, Jenkins’ hands are tightly tied, and he appears to be struggling to understand the questions raised to him in Russian. The man attacks him twice over his head.
Speaking in a mixture of English, Ukrainians and Russians, he identifies himself as a “soldier” and says he is a Chinese teacher and an Australian student.
Earlier this year, media reports suggesting he could have been killed urged Canberra to summon the Russian ambassador, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese vowing to “the strongest action” on the harm caused by men.
Albanese said last month that his government will continue to represent Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “condemnable regime” on behalf of Jenkins.
Australia has repeatedly condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and has given Kiev nearly $1 billion in support since 2022, but its troops provide training to the Ukrainian army.
