The U.S. Justice Department has filed the first-ever charges under the U.S. war crimes statute against four Russia-affiliated military personnel for committing heinous crimes against an American citizen. The charges include conspiracy to commit war crimes, unlawful confinement, torture, and inhuman treatment. The defendants, Suren Seiranovich Mkrtchyan, Dmitry Budnik, Valerii LNU, and Nazar LNU, are accused of unlawfully detaining a U.S. national during the armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
According to the indictment, the defendants interrogated, severely beat, and tortured the victim, as well as threatened to kill him and conducted a mock execution. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland described these charges as an important step toward holding individuals accountable for the Russian regime’s illegal war in Ukraine. He emphasized the commitment to pursuing justice through the rule of law, which protects people and upholds shared humanity.
The victim, who was living in a small village in southern Ukraine, was not involved in the armed conflict and was considered a protected person under international law. After Russian forces invaded the village, the defendants abducted the victim, subjected him to physical abuse, and forced him into a makeshift jail cell where they continued to interrogate and torture him. The indictment also alleges that the defendants took explicit pictures of the victim and threatened sexual assault.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas commended the work of the Department of Homeland Security’s Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center in bringing these charges to fruition. He emphasized the commitment to holding accountable those who engage in war crimes, genocide, torture, and other human rights violations. Mayorkas stated that the United States would not tolerate such mistreatment and human rights violations, and vowed to hold the Russian perpetrators accountable.
The investigation leading to these charges involved extensive international cooperation, including interviews with the victim’s family and individuals present in the vicinity of the incident. The evidence gathered by U.S. agents speaks to the brutality and criminality of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which the United States condemns as an unjust, unprovoked, and unlawful war of aggression. The U.S. government remains committed to supporting the Ukrainian people against Russian aggression and ensuring that such crimes are not ignored.
As this is a breaking news story, more updates are expected. Danielle Wallace, a reporter for Digital, covers politics, crime, and police-related news. Tips regarding this story can be sent to [email protected] or on Twitter: @danimwallace. For the latest updates on the 2024 campaign trail and exclusive interviews, subscribe to this newsletter.
