Any attempts by Russian-backed armed groups to try Ukrainian prisoners of war in what they claim is an “international court” in the occupied port city of Mariupol are “illegal and unacceptable,” Amnesty International warned in a press release issued on Friday.
In recent days, there has been increasing concern in the international community following the publication in the media and on social networks of photos and video footage showing metal cages under construction in the Mariupol Philharmonic Hall. These cages would reportedly be used to hold prisoners of war during trials.
“International humanitarian law prohibits courts being set up solely to try prisoners of war,” said Marie Struthers, Amnesty International’s Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
“Wilfully stripping fair trial rights from prisoners of war (…) amounts to a war crime,” she added. “The Geneva Conventions also state clearly that prisoners of war are protected from prosecution for taking part in hostilities.”
“By staging such sham ‘trials’, Russia – as the occupying power – is making a mockery of justice and a public theatre of courts, transforming them into vehicles for propaganda,” Amnesty said.
