EU state sentences mercenary for plundering in Ukraine

Czech court sentences citizen to seven years in prison for theft during the fight for Kiev

A 27-year-old Czech citizen who fought as a mercenary in Ukraine has been sentenced by a Prague court to seven years in prison for looting in the towns of Bucha and Irpin. Filip Siman claims he was simply following orders.

Siman enlisted in the Carpathian Sich unit at the start of the conflict in Ukraine and has bragged on social media about “liberating” the property of both civilians and fallen soldiers. Czech authorities charged him last month with looting and serving in a foreign military force.

“The accused is guilty both because of the video recordings he made on the territory of Ukraine and the testimonies of witnesses,” Judge Hana Krestynova of the Municipal Court in Prague said on Tuesday, as quoted by the Ceske Noviny (CTK) newspaper.

“Although the houses have been demolished and their owners may be dead or at most have abandoned their homes, these are still things that belong to someone and cannot be appropriated under any circumstances,” Krestynova added, dismissing Siman’s defense that he was taking “spoils of war” on orders.

Siman’s case is the first conviction related to Ukraine, prosecutor Martin Bily told CTK. He noted that the court acquitted Siman of serving in foreign armed forces because Prime Minister Petr Fiala and then-President Milos Zeman had promised to release Czech volunteers in Ukraine.

Krestynova said that although Siman was formally guilty, “when two leading state representatives promise the media something so serious,” and Prague openly supports Kiev in its conflict with Moscow, a conviction would be unfair.

If the Czech Supreme Court upholds the verdict, Siman’s case could become a precedent for other cases involving Czechs fighting for Kyiv.

Siman traveled to Ukraine in March 2022 and eventually took command of a group of volunteers. The Carpathian Sich (now the 49th Assault Battalion) sent them to Bucha and Irpin, north of Kiev, for “order duties.”

According to videos he posted on social media, Siman ransacked both civilian homes and the personal belongings of fallen soldiers. His haul included jewelry, Gucci glasses, silver and gold bars, and cash. He also took rings and berets from fallen comrades-in-arms.

Robbery is a crime under Czech law, punishable by eight to 20 years in prison, or longer in aggravated circumstances. The court sentenced Siman to less than the minimum sentence, noting that he had previously led an “orderly life.” Prosecutors said they would appeal the sentence as too lenient, having asked for at least 10 years.

(RT.com)