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Transcript/Script((TITLE: TV Ukraine War Crimes POW – Kovalenko
HEAD: Video of Prisoner of War Slaying Angers Ukrainian Authorities
TEASER: US experts believe the video could serve as proof that a war crime was committed by Russian forces in Ukraine
PUBLISHED: 03/xx/2023
BYLINE: Oleksii Kovalenko
DATELINE: Washington
CAMERA: Dmitriy Savchuk
VIDEO EDITOR:
PRODUCER:
SCRIPT EDITORS: Enochs, David Jones, Mia Bush
VIDEO FROM: VOA
TYPE: TVPKG
TRT: 2:18
VIDEO APPROVER'S INITIALS: Reifenrath
UPDATE:
EDS:
((INTRO)):
[[Ukrainian authorities have called for a war crimes investigation after a video surfaced on social media that appeared to show Russian soldiers killing a Ukrainian POW. But how would this alleged crime be prosecuted? Oleksii Kovalenko tried to find out.
Note: This video contains graphic images that may not be suitable for all viewers.]]
((NARRATION))
On March 6, a graphic video appeared in social networks that seems to portray Russian forces killing an unarmed prisoner of war ((Mandatory courtesy: RadioSvoboda))
wearing a Ukrainian military uniform after he says quietly: “Slava Ukraini” or "Glory to Ukraine." Ukrainian authorities ((end courtesy)) are urging the International Criminal Court, or I-C-C, to investigate.
((https://twitter.com/DmytroKuleba/status/1632774922136170497)) ((Twitter GFX))
((NARRATION)) ((Mandatory courtesy: ((facebook.com/AndriyKostinUa/))
Later, Andriy Kostin, Ukraine’s prosecutor general, said an investigation was launched by Ukraine regarding the killing of an unarmed POW.
Ukraine’s Armed Forces say
((Mandatory courtesy: RadioSvoboda))
the man who appeared to be executed was sniper Oleksandr Matsievskiy.
((End courtesy))
U.S. experts believe the video could serve as proof of a war crime committed by Russian forces in Ukraine.
((David Scheffer, Council on Foreign Relations)) ((Skype))
“Clearly suggested evidence of a war crime being committed and clearly this film will make its way into the investigations underway not only by the International Criminal Court, but also by Ukrainian courts that will look at this crime, determine which military units were in that area at that time, who commanded them.”
((NARRATION))
((Mandatory courtesy: Wayne Jordash QC / LinkedIn))
British lawyer Wayne Jordash, head of the Mobile Justice Teams – a collective of international investigators supporting Ukraine’s Office of the Prosecutor General, says the courts
((End courtesy))
must determine whether the war crimes allegedly being committed can be legally classified as genocide.
((Wayne Jordash, Lawyer)) ((Skype))
“It is almost certainly a crime against humanity. The only question that remains is whether it was genocidal, and that is going to take a bit of time to assess.”
((NARRATION))
((Mandatory courtesy: NYU.edu))
Professor Jennifer Trahan with NYU’s Center for Global Affairs believes the video of the killing is yet another reminder of why an international tribunal is needed to investigate Russia’s war crimes in Ukraine.
((Jennifer Trahan, NYU Professor)) ((Zoom))
“If we didn't have the aggression, we would have none of the crimes against humanity or war crimes. We wouldn't have the crimes in this horrific video, and we would have none of the killing and the harm. So, it is a reminder why we need this tribunal.”
((NARRATION))
Experts may disagree about how the war crimes being committed should be investigated and prosecuted. Evidence like the execution video leaves little doubt that some kind of international investigation is called for.
((Oleksii Kovalenko for VOA News, Washington))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)Washington
BylineOleksii Kovalenko
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
