Czechia sentences volunteer to 7 years for looting during service in Ukraine

According to České noviny, Siman came to Ukraine as a military volunteer in March 2022, where he underwent combat training. He led a group of military volunteers and operated in the towns of Irpin and Bucha in the Kyiv region.

Siman was instructed to patrol trenches and carry out cleanup work. However, the court ruled that he appropriated civilian and military property both while carrying out orders and in his free time.

In April 2022, Siman was detained by the Ukrainian military and subsequently returned to the Czech Republic.

The prosecutor in Siman's case noted that this is the first sentence for looting related to the war in Ukraine. 

However, the court's verdict is not final, and the case will be reviewed by a higher court in Prague. The prosecutor appealed the verdict because the sentence was lower than the statutory minimum. Siman was also given time to consider his appeal; he denies his guilt, claiming he was following orders from his superiors.

The judge emphasized that even if Siman received an order, stealing is still a crime.

"Although the houses have been demolished and their owners may be dead or, at best, have left their homes, they are still someone's belongings that cannot be appropriated in any way," the judge added.

Filip Siman was also accused of illegal service in foreign armed forces, but the court acquitted him on this charge. Prime Minister Petr Fiala had publicly stated that there would be no punishment for citizens who volunteered to fight for Ukraine.

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