Czech citizen Filip Siman was sentenced by a Prague court to seven years in prison for theft in Ukraine. He went there as a volunteer without the president's consent. He was supposed to steal gold, silver, jewelry and cash belonging to both civilians and fallen soldiers.
The accused claimed in court, among other things, that he was following orders from his superiors, and the defense argued that he was taking the so-called spoils of war. However, the court ruled that the law does not recognize such a concept, and theft is still theft, even if it resulted from an order from his superiors.
The verdict is not final. Prosecutor Martin Bily, who had requested 10 years in prison for Siman, announced an appeal. This is the first verdict, the prosecutor's office said.
Filip Siman (right) in court in PraguePhoto from July 3, 2024Katerina Sulova/CTK/PAP/EPA
Siman went to Ukraine in March 2022 with a group of volunteers. After training, he fought in Irpin and Bucha. There, while carrying out orders and in his free time, he appropriated items from both Ukrainian civilians and fallen soldiers, including jewelry, gold and silver bars, and cash.
He went to Ukraine without permission
Czech joined the fighting in Ukraine without the necessary consent of the president of his country. He claimed that he relied on the promise of impunity made by the then president of the Czech Republic Milosz Zeman and Prime Minister Petr Fiala. The court found it fair to dismiss the charge in a situation where the Czech Republic officially supports Ukraine as part of its foreign policy, and the president and prime minister promised amnesty in the media.
Commentators stated that if this opinion is upheld on appeal by Supreme Courtmay be of importance to the affairs of other volunteers serving in the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Main image source: Katerina Sulova/CTK/PAP/EPA