A court in the Russian-controlled territory of Luhansk Oblast sentenced Australian citizen Oscar Jenkins to 13 years in a maximum-security colony for participating in hostilities on the side of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Source : CNN citing reports from Russian state prosecutors
Details : Jenkins, 33, was found guilty of allegedly being a mercenary and fighting against Russia from March to December last year. He was detained in December 2024, and Australia has repeatedly demanded his release since then.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong called the verdict a “show trial” and said she was shocked by the Russian court’s decision. She stressed the need for Russia to comply with international humanitarian law regarding the prisoner.
Direct speech Wong : “We are deeply concerned about the health and safety of Mr Jenkins. Australia is working with Ukraine, the Red Cross and other partners to secure his release.”
Details : Russian prosecutors allege that Jenkins was paid between $7,400 and $10,000 a month as a combatant. The Kremlin insists that mercenaries are not entitled to prisoner-of-war status.
Jenkins is pictured in a glass cage with his hands tied in public. According to media reports, he has joined an international battalion within the Ukrainian forces. A video of his detention appeared on Russian Telegram channels in December.
In the video, Jenkins speaks in a mix of English, Ukrainian and Russian, calls himself a “soldier” and says he works as a teacher in China and studies in Australia. One of the men in the recording punches him in the head.
Following reports of the possible death of an Australian earlier this year, the Australian government summoned the Russian ambassador. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese promised the “strongest response” to any harm caused to an Australian citizen.
Українська правда
