Separatist militants booby-trapped the body of a Georgian volunteer who served with Azov battalion in Shyrokyne, near Mariupol, which violates the fundamental basis of international humanitarian laws, the press service of the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) headquarters has reported.
“Criminals took the shoes and individual protective gear off the victim. After that the body was booby-trapped to kill the soldiers who would come to take their fallen comrade from the battlefield. Only aid from OSCE SMM inspectors, who removed the mines from the body, helped to avoid additional victims. Therefore, the Ukrainian section of the JCCC [Joint Center for Control and Coordination] said that the above-mentioned militants’ actions violate the fundamental basis of international humanitarian laws and are unacceptable,” reads a statement posted on the ATO headquarters’ Facebook page on April 20.
According to the statement, Ukrainian soldiers saluted their murdered comrade with full military honors.
Head of the Ukrainian section of the JCCC Andriy Taran thanked Deputy Head of OSCE SMM Alexander Hug for his cooperation and help in returning the body of the dead soldier to his comrades.
“With this action, OSCE SMM inspectors showed not only personal bravery, their actions became a vivid example of humanity and respect for the commonly accepted basis of the international humanitarian law, which is unfortunately neglected by the militants,” Taran said.
