Brutal Crimes and Conviction
Vojislav Torden, a 38-year-old Russian national, was found guilty of four war crimes, including the brutal execution of a wounded Ukrainian soldier and authorizing the mutilation of another prisoner. As reported by Odessa Journal, Torden was arrested in Finland in July 2023 and has remained in custody since.
The court ruled that he was responsible for the death of a wounded Ukrainian soldier, while also permitting his subordinates to desecrate another soldier’s body. Additionally, he was convicted for taking humiliating photographs with a corpse and spreading messages online promoting the group’s brutality.
Finland's Universal Jurisdiction
Torden was also accused of participating in an ambush that killed 22 Ukrainian soldiers in the Russian-backed separatist region of Luhansk. However, this charge was dismissed by the court. Despite Ukraine’s request for extradition, Finland’s Supreme Court rejected it, citing concerns over potential inhumane detention conditions.
Finland exercised its principle of universal jurisdiction, allowing its courts to prosecute severe crimes regardless of where they were committed. This landmark case underscores international efforts to hold individuals accountable for wartime atrocities, even beyond the borders of the conflict.
