The United States condemns Russia’s plans to hold trials of Ukrainian prisoners of war in Mariupol, calling them “illegitimate,” and the United Nations also stressed that the creation of such courts is prohibited, AFP reports.

US State Department spokesman Ned Price said in a statement that “these planned show trials are illegitimate and a travesty of justice, and we strongly condemn them.”

According to Washington, Moscow seeks to “distract” the attention of the international community from “atrocities committed by Russian troops in Ukraine.”

“All servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, including Ukrainian and foreign volunteers, have the right to the status of a prisoner of war if they are captured, and must have such treatment and protection in accordance with the Geneva Conventions,” the statement reads. Moscow “to comply with its obligations under international law.”

The UN expressed similar concerns on Tuesday, stressing that it is prohibited to establish courts for the sole purpose of trying such detainees.

The spokeswoman of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Ravina Shamdasani emphasized that there is little information about what Moscow presents as an “international tribunal”.

But she said photos and videos released by the media and social media showed metal cages, likely intended to house those detained during trials, being built at the Mariupol Philharmonic.

The Third Geneva Convention provides extended protection to prisoners of war who cannot be prosecuted for direct participation in hostilities.