Following orders is not a 'get out of jail free' level excuse, though it might be used for mitigation.
So no, that ruling was not 'pure evil', it established a basic level of responsibility that applies even when acting under orders.
This is also why I think Snowden did the right thing: he may have "betrayed his country" by helping inform the public about what is going on, but it was his moral responsibility to do so. If he had kept his mouth shut, he would have become an accomplice to the crime.
So, with all respect mr. Anonymous Coward you haven't a clue what you're talking about.
Principles come at a price, that's for sure.
I can see why you have a problem with this worldview.
Quite a few German soldiers did refuse orders and indeed some of them got executed or jailed. Those are the real heros.
And as I said before yes, that is exactly the situation I've been in. So I don't give a rats ass what your excuse is but I know where I stand on this.
You don't get to escape from your responsibilities.