The Australian government conveyed its profound dismay on Saturday regarding the 13-year penal colony sentence handed down by a Russian-controlled court to an Australian citizen captured while serving in the Ukrainian armed forces.
Oscar Jenkins, a 33-year-old resident of Melbourne, was convicted of acting as a “mercenary in an armed conflict” by the court situated in Ukraine’s Russian-occupied Lugansk region, according to prosecutorial statements.
The former educator was mandated to serve his sentence within a “strict regime penal colony.”
“The Australian Government is appalled at the sham trial and 13-year sentence given to Australian man Oscar Jenkins,” stated Foreign Minister Penny Wong.
The government has unequivocally communicated to Moscow that Mr. Jenkins must be accorded the status of a prisoner of war, recognizing his position as an active member of the regular Ukrainian army, she affirmed in a formal statement.
“Russia is obligated to treat him in accordance with international humanitarian law, including humane treatment,” the Foreign Minister asserted.
Australia harbors “serious concerns” for Mr. Jenkins’ well-being, she noted, and is actively collaborating with international partners, including Ukraine and the International Committee of the Red Cross, to advocate for his welfare and secure his release.
Russia and its proxies in eastern Ukraine classify foreign nationals who travel to participate in the conflict in Ukraine as “mercenaries.”
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