A Czech Soldier Accused of Theft While Fighting in Ukraine
A Czech national has been charged with stealing gold and silver valuables during fighting on the outskirts of Kiev in 2022. The soldier, Filip Siman, who fought for Ukraine against Russia, is accused of robbing civilians and taking items from the bodies of dead comrades on the battlefield.
Siman, a unit commander in the Ukrainian volunteer battalion Karpatska Sic, allegedly stole various items during combat operations near Irpen and Bucha. Prosecutors claim he did not have the necessary permits to fight in a foreign army.
If found guilty, Siman could face up to five years in prison for fighting in a foreign army and a possible exceptional sentence for looting. He argues that he took the items as mementos, not for personal gain. The defendant claimed he was allowed to keep the silver ingots by the army and took the oxygen mask as a reminder of his service.
Siman maintains that his decision to fight in Ukraine was based on promises from the Czech government that volunteers would not face legal consequences. The case highlights the complex legal and ethical issues faced by foreign fighters in conflicts around the world.