Australia condemns Russia's jailing of Melbourne man caught in Ukraine
Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Commonwealth of Australia Penny Wong addresses the 79th United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York, U.S., September 27, 2024. REUTERS/Kent J. Edwards/File Photo
(Reuters) - Australia's foreign minister on Saturday condemned a 13-year prison sentence handed by a Russian court to an Australian citizen for fighting alongside Ukrainian forces.
Oscar Jenkins, 33, will serve the sentence in a maximum security prison after being found guilty by a Russian court of participating in an armed conflict as a mercenary, state prosecutors in a part of eastern Ukraine controlled by Russia said on Friday.
Foreign minister Penny Wong said in a statement that Australia's government was "appalled at the sham trial and 13-year sentence" given to Jenkins, previously a teacher in Melbourne.
"As a full serving member of the regular Armed Forces of Ukraine, Mr Jenkins is a prisoner of war," said Wong, a long-time strident critic of Russia's war against Ukraine.
"The Australian Government has made clear to Russia that Mr Jenkins must be given the protections afforded to him as a prisoner of war. Russia is obligated to treat him in accordance with international humanitarian law, including humane treatment," the foreign minister said.
She said Australia's government would work with Ukraine and the International Committee of the Red Cross to push for Jenkins' welfare and release.
Jenkins was serving with Ukraine's military when he was captured by Russia last year as a prisoner of war, Australian media reported earlier this year. A video taken at the time showed him, dressed in combat uniform, being asked if he was a mercenary, reports said.
Australia is one of the largest non-NATO contributors to the West's support for Ukraine and has been supplying aid, ammunition and defence equipment.
It has banned exports of alumina and aluminium ores, including bauxite, to Russia, and has sanctioned about 1,000 Russian individuals and entities.
(Reporting by Sam McKeith in Sydney; Editing by Sam Holmes)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
UK and India discuss 'counter-terrorism' cooperation after Pakistan ceasefire
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy reacts as he speaks during an interview with Reuters at the British High Commissioner Residence in New Delhi, India, June 7, 2025. REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis NEW DELHI (Reuters) -Britain and India on Saturday discussed expanding their "counter-terrorism" collaboration following recent fighting between India and Pakistan, Britain's foreign minister told Reuters after meeting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. British foreign minister David Lammy is the highest-profile Western official to have visited both New Delhi and Islamabad since the South Asian neighbours agreed to a ceasefire last month after their worst fighting in nearly three decades. The latest tensions began in April after the killing of 26 men in Indian Kashmir that New Delhi blamed on "terrorists" backed by Pakistan, a charge Islamabad denied. India then attacked what it called "terrorist infrastructure" in Pakistan, leading to escalation from both sides until a May 10 ceasefire. "We want the situation to be maintained, but of course we recognise fragility, particularly in the backdrop of terrorism, terrorism designed to destabilise India," Lammy said in an interview at the residence of the British High Commissioner in New Delhi. "We are keen to continue to work with our Indian partners on counter-terrorism measures." He said he discussed the next steps with both Modi and Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, but gave no specifics. Last year, India and Britain discussed combating the financing of terrorism, cooperation between law enforcement and judicial bodies and information sharing. Lammy said he also discussed boosting trade between the world's fifth and sixth largest economies. The countries concluded talks for a free trade deal early last month. "I know that Prime Minister Keir Starmer is very much looking forward to coming to India very soon to sign the free trade agreement," Lammy said. "There is so much that our two nations can continue to do together." (Reporting by Krishna N. Das in New Delhi. Editing by Mark Potter)
The Sun
3 hours ago
- The Sun
Putin signs bill ratifying Russia-Seychelles treaty on mutual assistance in criminal cases
MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a Bill that ratifies the treaty between Russia and the Republic of Seychelles on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, the Kremlin said on Saturday, according to Ria Novosti. 'The president signed the federal law on 'Ratification of the Treaty between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Seychelles on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters',' the Kremlin said. According to the text of the treaty, published by the Russian Foreign Ministry, legal assistance is provided 'if the offence, in connection with which the request was issued, is criminally punishable according to the law of both Parties'. At the same time, a side of the treaty may provide legal assistance 'upon its own consideration' even if the situation is not recognised by its legislation as a criminal matter. The treaty also notes that legal assistance may also be provided in connection with investigations, prosecutions or judicial proceedings in relation to financial and customs offences. Legal assistance includes procedures such as delivery of documents relevant to the criminal case; obtaining evidence; locating and identifying persons and objects; summoning witnesses, victims, experts and other persons to appear voluntarily before the competent authority of the requesting party.
The Sun
3 hours ago
- The Sun
Putin ratifies Russia-Seychelles legal aid treaty
MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a Bill that ratifies the treaty between Russia and the Republic of Seychelles on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, the Kremlin said on Saturday, according to Ria Novosti. 'The president signed the federal law on 'Ratification of the Treaty between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Seychelles on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters',' the Kremlin said. According to the text of the treaty, published by the Russian Foreign Ministry, legal assistance is provided 'if the offence, in connection with which the request was issued, is criminally punishable according to the law of both Parties'. At the same time, a side of the treaty may provide legal assistance 'upon its own consideration' even if the situation is not recognised by its legislation as a criminal matter. The treaty also notes that legal assistance may also be provided in connection with investigations, prosecutions or judicial proceedings in relation to financial and customs offences. Legal assistance includes procedures such as delivery of documents relevant to the criminal case; obtaining evidence; locating and identifying persons and objects; summoning witnesses, victims, experts and other persons to appear voluntarily before the competent authority of the requesting party.
