Latest news with #OscarJenkins
Free Malaysia Today
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Australia condemns Russia's jailing of Melbourne man
Foreign minister Penny Wong said they were appalled by the sham trial and 13-year sentence meted. (EPA Images pic) CANBERRA : 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.
Sky News AU
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Russia fires back at Albanese government over comments on Oscar Jenkins' trial
The Embassy of Russia in Australia has fired back at the Albanese government after it labelled the Russian trial of Australian citizen and Ukraine fighter Oscar Jenkins a 'sham trial'. Mr Jenkins has been sentenced to 13 years in a maximum-security prison for being a mercenary. The Russian Embassy shot back in a social media post, saying Mr Jenkins was paid to fight. 'It was established that Oscar Jenkins had arrived in Ukraine in February 2024 in order to fight against the Russian Federation, for a generous remuneration,' it said. 'This is not a 'sham trial' as the Australian government and the mainstream media would like to present it. 'The Australian side's 'outrage' at the legitimate court ruling does, indeed, raise questions.'
Herald Sun
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Herald Sun
Richard Marles won't ‘speculate' on Oscar Jenkins swap
Don't miss out on the headlines from Breaking News. Followed categories will be added to My News. Richard Marles has refused to speculate on the prospects of a prisoner swap for Oscar Jenkins after a Russian court sentenced the Melbourne man to 13 years in a penal colony. Russian authorities in Ukraine's occupied Luhansk region declared Mr Jenkins a mercenary, complicating any prisoner swap talks as mercenaries are not protected by conventions on the treatment of prisoners of war. Condemning the court decision as a 'sham trial', the Deputy Prime Minister on Monday said Mr Jenkins 'should be treated as a prisoner of war'. 'This was a sham trial which handed down this sentence,' Mr Marles, who is also defence minister, told Sky News. 'Oscar Jenkins should be treated as a prisoner of war and all the rights that go with that under international humanitarian law should be provided by Russia to Oscar Jenkins. 'That's what we expect of the Russian government, and we are very concerned for Oscar Jenkins.' Mr Jenkins was fighting with Ukraine's International Legion — a formal part of the Armed Forces of Ukraine — when he was captured late last year near Makiivka, a tiny village on the Zherebets River in Luhansk. Mr Marles was asked whether he thought Mr Jenkins was 'brave' for joining Ukraine's fight against invading Russian forces. But he reiterated the government did not encourage people to go to Ukraine due to its designation as a war zone – noting they had made their position 'clear'. 'Oscar Jenkins, though, is an Australian citizen, and we will continue to advocate on his behalf,' Mr Marles said. 'And as I said, we regard him as a prisoner of war in these circumstances, and we expect all the rights that are afforded to prisoners of water be applied by Russia to him.' Later, Ukraine's envoy in Canberra said securing Mr Jenkins' release was a 'top priority' for the Ukrainian government. Vasyl Myroshnychenko said it was 'good' the Australian fighter had been sentenced because 'now he could be swapped'. But the Ukrainian ambassador added 'how the Russians interpret him' could complicate matters. 'And of course, we're working on that, making sure that we can get him released as soon as possible,' Mr Myroshnychenko told Sky News. 'We don't know how long it's going to take but I'm in touch with (the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) all the time.' Ukraine and Russia regularly swap prisoners through exchanges largely organised by the Red Cross. Officials from both countries agreed to swap some 1000 prisoners during peace talks last week. Mr Myroshnychenko said he did not know if Mr Jenkins would be included in that exchange.
Courier-Mail
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Courier-Mail
Richard Marles won't ‘speculate' on Oscar Jenkins swap
Don't miss out on the headlines from Breaking News. Followed categories will be added to My News. Richard Marles has refused to speculate on the prospects of a prisoner swap for Oscar Jenkins after a Russian court sentenced the Melbourne man to 13 years in a penal colony. Russian authorities in Ukraine's occupied Luhansk region declared Mr Jenkins a mercenary, complicating any prisoner swap talks as mercenaries are not protected by conventions on the treatment of prisoners of war. Condemning the court decision as a 'sham trial', the Deputy Prime Minister on Monday said Mr Jenkins 'should be treated as a prisoner of war'. The Albanese government is pushing for Oscar Jenkins to be released from Russian captivity. Picture: NewsWire Handout Mr Jenkins was fighting with the Ukrainian military when Russian forces captured him. Picture: Screengrab 'This was a sham trial which handed down this sentence,' Mr Marles, who is also defence minister, told Sky News. 'Oscar Jenkins should be treated as a prisoner of war and all the rights that go with that under international humanitarian law should be provided by Russia to Oscar Jenkins. 'That's what we expect of the Russian government, and we are very concerned for Oscar Jenkins.' Mr Jenkins was fighting with Ukraine's International Legion — a formal part of the Armed Forces of Ukraine — when he was captured late last year near Makiivka, a tiny village on the Zherebets River in Luhansk. Mr Marles was asked whether he thought Mr Jenkins was 'brave' for joining Ukraine's fight against invading Russian forces. But he reiterated the government did not encourage people to go to Ukraine due to its designation as a war zone – noting they had made their position 'clear'. 'Oscar Jenkins, though, is an Australian citizen, and we will continue to advocate on his behalf,' Mr Marles said. 'And as I said, we regard him as a prisoner of war in these circumstances, and we expect all the rights that are afforded to prisoners of water be applied by Russia to him.' Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles has called on Russia to treat Mr Jenkins as a prisoner of war. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman Later, Ukraine's envoy in Canberra said securing Mr Jenkins' release was a 'top priority' for the Ukrainian government. Vasyl Myroshnychenko said it was 'good' the Australian fighter had been sentenced because 'now he could be swapped'. But the Ukrainian ambassador added 'how the Russians interpret him' could complicate matters. 'And of course, we're working on that, making sure that we can get him released as soon as possible,' Mr Myroshnychenko told Sky News. 'We don't know how long it's going to take but I'm in touch with (the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) all the time.' Ukraine and Russia regularly swap prisoners through exchanges largely organised by the Red Cross. Officials from both countries agreed to swap some 1000 prisoners during peace talks last week. Mr Myroshnychenko said he did not know if Mr Jenkins would be included in that exchange. Anthony Albanese also raised Mr Jenkins and 'other cases' when he met Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of Pope Leo XIV's inauguration on Sunday. The Prime Minister thanks the Ukrainian President for his help on the matter. Originally published as Richard Marles won't 'speculate' on possible prison swap for Oscar Jenkins after 'sham' trial, jailing
Daily Telegraph
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Telegraph
Richard Marles won't ‘speculate' on Oscar Jenkins swap
Don't miss out on the headlines from Breaking News. Followed categories will be added to My News. Richard Marles has refused to speculate on the prospects of a prisoner swap for Oscar Jenkins after a Russian court sentenced the Melbourne man to 13 years in a penal colony. Russian authorities in Ukraine's occupied Luhansk region declared Mr Jenkins a mercenary, complicating any prisoner swap talks as mercenaries are not protected by conventions on the treatment of prisoners of war. Condemning the court decision as a 'sham trial', the Deputy Prime Minister on Monday said Mr Jenkins 'should be treated as a prisoner of war'. The Albanese government is pushing for Oscar Jenkins to be released from Russian captivity. Picture: NewsWire Handout Mr Jenkins was fighting with the Ukrainian military when Russian forces captured him. Picture: Screengrab 'This was a sham trial which handed down this sentence,' Mr Marles, who is also defence minister, told Sky News. 'Oscar Jenkins should be treated as a prisoner of war and all the rights that go with that under international humanitarian law should be provided by Russia to Oscar Jenkins. 'That's what we expect of the Russian government, and we are very concerned for Oscar Jenkins.' Mr Jenkins was fighting with Ukraine's International Legion — a formal part of the Armed Forces of Ukraine — when he was captured late last year near Makiivka, a tiny village on the Zherebets River in Luhansk. Mr Marles was asked whether he thought Mr Jenkins was 'brave' for joining Ukraine's fight against invading Russian forces. But he reiterated the government did not encourage people to go to Ukraine due to its designation as a war zone – noting they had made their position 'clear'. 'Oscar Jenkins, though, is an Australian citizen, and we will continue to advocate on his behalf,' Mr Marles said. 'And as I said, we regard him as a prisoner of war in these circumstances, and we expect all the rights that are afforded to prisoners of water be applied by Russia to him.' Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles has called on Russia to treat Mr Jenkins as a prisoner of war. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman Later, Ukraine's envoy in Canberra said securing Mr Jenkins' release was a 'top priority' for the Ukrainian government. Vasyl Myroshnychenko said it was 'good' the Australian fighter had been sentenced because 'now he could be swapped'. But the Ukrainian ambassador added 'how the Russians interpret him' could complicate matters. 'And of course, we're working on that, making sure that we can get him released as soon as possible,' Mr Myroshnychenko told Sky News. 'We don't know how long it's going to take but I'm in touch with (the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) all the time.' Ukraine and Russia regularly swap prisoners through exchanges largely organised by the Red Cross. Officials from both countries agreed to swap some 1000 prisoners during peace talks last week. Mr Myroshnychenko said he did not know if Mr Jenkins would be included in that exchange. Anthony Albanese also raised Mr Jenkins and 'other cases' when he met Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of Pope Leo XIV's inauguration on Sunday. The Prime Minister thanks the Ukrainian President for his help on the matter. Originally published as Richard Marles won't 'speculate' on possible prison swap for Oscar Jenkins after 'sham' trial, jailing
