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Military operation in Ukraine

Defendant in first international terrorism case to reach trial in Russia pleads guilty

The defense insists that Pavel Zaporozhets should be recognized as a prisoner of war and his case should be considered under the Third Geneva Convention

ROSTOV-ON-DON, March 15. /TASS/. Ukrainian national Pavel Zaporozhets, charged with attempting to carry out a terrorist attack in Kherson on May 9, has pleaded guilty, a TASS correspondent reported from Russia’s Southern District Military Court.

"Yes, I accept my guilt but I don’t accept the fact that I am being tried under the Criminal Code. Since I am a service member, I should be tried under the Geneva Convention," the defendant said.

This is Russia’s first international act of terrorism case to reach a point where it was considered on its merits.

The defense insists that Zaporozhets should be recognized as a prisoner of war and his case should be considered under the Third Geneva Convention. According to the preliminary investigation, Zaporozhets made preparations for a terrorist attack against civilians and Russian troops during Victory Day celebrations. A source told TASS that this took place in the city of Kherson.

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