Russia jails Australian who fought on side of Ukrainian army

Reuters reports.

It is noted that 33-year-old Oscar Jenkins will serve his sentence in a maximum security prison. The man used to work as a teacher in Melbourne. According to Australian media, the occupying Russian army took him prisoner last year.

Australia's reaction

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said that the government is "appalled by the sham trial and 13-year sentence" for Jenkins by the Russian Federation.

"As a full serving member of the regular Armed Forces of Ukraine, Mr Jenkins is a prisoner of war," said Wong, a long-time strident critic of Russia's war against Ukraine.

"The Australian Government has made clear to Russia that Mr Jenkins must be given the protections afforded to him as a prisoner of war. Russia is obligated to treat him in accordance with international humanitarian law, including humane treatment," the foreign minister said.

She added Australia's government would work with Ukraine and the International Committee of the Red Cross to push for Jenkins' release.