One of the most common war crimes today is looting. This phenomenon is associated with events that result in the death of a large number of people. Marauders can be persons of any nationality. They commit crimes during periods of armed conflict and natural disasters.
Definition and essence of the concept
Speaking of this phenomenon, they mean the robbery of citizens living in the territory of military operations. Looting is the theft of objects belonging to persons affected by military operations, terrorist attacks or natural disasters. Victims of the criminal are killed, wounded, those who are in a state of helplessness and do not show resistance. It can be both military personnel and civilians. According to official figures, in the world there are professional criminal groups of looters. Often, they do not attack individuals, but entire settlements. For example, during the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Pripyat, looters committed their crimes.
Robberies still occur in this area. News from around the world testifies that looting is a phenomenon from which banks, houses of wealthy people, and antique shops are not insured. Professional criminals own modern equipment, which allows them to identify those settlements where military operations or natural disasters are possible. These cities and villages are becoming sources of profit for looters.
History of the phenomenon
Looting during armed conflicts has existed since ancient times. It was believed that a soldier who sheds his blood is worthy of a reward. Therefore, for a long time, looting was considered quite legal. In the Middle Ages, the soldiers who captured the city were given a certain period for appropriating the property of its inhabitants. Looting is a term that came from the last name Merode. The people who were called that way were participants in the Thirty Years War. Already in the Middle Ages, they noticed that looting negatively affects the state of the army. The ability to act is reduced, military personnel of the highest rank are bribed, excessive drinking is observed, casual sexual relations, sale of stolen property.
They began to call looters soldiers who wanted to avoid duties related to the service, but at the same time, in addition to material rewards for it, received considerable profit from the enemy’s property. During the stay of the Napoleonic army in the capital of Russia, this phenomenon was frequent. It was it that undermined the discipline of the French soldiers.
In many countries, looting is considered a criminal offense.
The article for him provides for either imprisonment or the death penalty.
Looting and laws of the Russian Federation
In the criminal code of the Soviet Union of October 27, 1960, the item "Looting" was present. Article uk rf № 266 still exists, although it has been amended. It involves the theft of ammunition and weapons using violent acts.
There were no lawsuits regarding looting in the Soviet Union . During the Great Patriotic War, looters were simply killed at the crime scene.
However, this phenomenon is not considered a criminal act since the release of the criminal code of R.F. on July 30, 1996.
In countries where the level of wages is higher than in Russia, military personnel rarely decide on such actions. In Russia, most marauders are not professional criminals. But this phenomenon is widespread due to the lack of normal material rewards for the military. However, an increase in salaries does not guarantee the eradication of professional crime.
Despite the fact that there is no article for looting in Russia, the appropriation of property of persons who died or were injured as a result of armed conflicts, terrorist attacks, natural disasters is still punishable by law. Using helplessness, depression, and fear to make money is considered an international war crime. In Russia, it amounts to robbery and theft. Accordingly, looting is punishable as well as for these crimes - imprisonment.
conclusions
Looting is one of the most terrible criminal acts that take place in the world. Unfortunately, this crime is quite common. Looting is the appropriation of things belonging to people who have suffered as a result of armed conflict or natural disasters. It originated in antiquity and until a certain time was not prosecuted by law. However, then people realized that looting leads to violations of discipline in the army and a decline in morale. Therefore, they began to fight this crime. In many countries, the penal code contains an article on looting. This crime is punishable by death or imprisonment.
In the Soviet Union, marauders were shot. However, a separate article is not assigned to this phenomenon in the Russian Federation. The appropriation by military personnel of the things suffered during military operations or natural disasters is considered robbery or theft and involves criminal liability in the form of imprisonment.