Ukrainian prisoner of war Ruslan Romanovich Romanov died in Russian custody while on trial for terrorism, according to reports.
The Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don terminated proceedings against him on October 15. He faced three charges under Articles 205.4, 205.5, and 205.3 of Russia's criminal code. The charges included involvement in a terrorist organization, participation in a designated terrorist group, and training for terrorist purposes. The Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group said Article 205.5 appeared to be a new addition, possibly to justify longer sentences.
Mediazona identified the defendant as Romanov. His name was concealed in the court database. The charges are commonly used against prisoners from the Azov Regiment and Aidar Battalion. The group said the trials violate the Geneva Convention on prisoners of war.
The indictment reached the court in August. Judge Denis Vasilievich Stepanov presided. The last hearing was on September 22, though it is unknown if Romanov attended.
The Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group linked the death to Russia's withdrawal from the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture on Sunday. The group noted Russia is increasingly concealing the names of Ukrainian prisoners it tries. The Council of Europe said the Committee for the Prevention of Torture had received "numerous accounts of alleged acts of torture and ill-treatment in places of detention by Russian officials". The committee had been prevented from carrying out visits.
The group said earlier trials featured videoed confessions almost certainly extracted through torture. It is unclear if this happened in Romanov's case. The cause of his death has not been disclosed. Journalists could not establish his age, when he was captured, or which unit he served in.
