Two Brits men captured during battle for Ukraine sentenced to death in court in Russian-backed separatist state.
Judged 28-year-old Aiden Aslin and 48-year-old Sean Pinner. in the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) in what observers condemned as “the disgusting Soviet era show trial”.
They were captured in April during the fight for Ukrainian forces against Russian occupiers in Mariupol.
British men were sentenced along with Moroccan national Brahim Saadoun, who was reportedly student the study in Kyiv before him also detained in April. They were all blamed by Russia and Kremlin-backed Donetsk separatists. of be “mercenaries” and sentenced to death after accusation of “terrorism”.
Speaking out behind Bars, Mr Eslin said: “I had hoped the verdict would be much fairer given the circumstances in whom I helped the investigation and also because I surrendered to the Donetsk People’s Republic. I wish may be different, but God will one Who will judge me when the time comes.”
Both Britons fought for Ukrainian army for years before Russia invasion as well as should be protected as active soldiers the Geneva Conventions on prisoners of war.
Three set to face a firing team, and they have a month to appeal the decision to the Russian state news It is reported by RIA Novosti agency. All three said they would appeal the decisionin Russian news agency TASS.
One theory is that their conclusion could be a possibility for negotiation tool on part of DPR or Moscow in to extract concessions from London, which was one of the most violent critics of in invasion of Ukraine.
Their sentences were met with UK outrage government, with foreign secretary Liz Truss denounces the trial as a “sham”.
A video released by RIA showed Mr. Aslin, Mr. Pinner and Mr. Saadoun. in courtroom cage with white stripes.
Mr Pinner of Watford and Mr Saadoun pleaded guilty to acts of forcible takeover of poweraccording to news agency.
The video appeared on show Mr. Eslin of Newark pleaded guilty to a lesser charge involving weapons and explosives.
The defendants arefirst foreign mercenaries convicted in Donetsk People’s Republic, Donetsk news the agency said.
Less than 24 hours pending sentencing downPinner and Saadoun pleaded guilty to acts of forcible takeover of powervideo from the court shared by RIA Novosti news The agency showed Eslin appears to have pleaded guilty to a lesser charge involving weapons and explosives.
Judge Alexander Nikulin stated that the verdict “was guided not only by established norms and rules, but also according to the most important, unshakable principle of justice”.
DNR one of two self-proclaimed Russian-backed enterprises in Donbass region of eastern ukraine what russia says he is fighting for liberation from Ukrainian troops.
Ms Truss said: “I categorically condemn the verdict of Aiden Eslin and Sean Pinner are being held by Russian proxies in east of Ukraine.
“They are prisoners of war. This is a fictitious statement with absolutely no legitimacy.
“My thoughts with families. We continue to do our best to support them.”
Robert Jenrick MP for Mr Aslin in Newark, called for The Ministry of Foreign Affairs to call the Russian ambassador “to account”. for this is the most egregious violation of Geneva Convention”.
He added: “This disgusting style of Soviet times show test is latest reminder of depravity of Putin regime.
“Russia should they can’t be clear treat British citizens like this and leave with It.”
The Foreign Office condemned what it called the exploitation of prisoners of war for political goals.
The spokesman said: “They are entitled to combatant immunity and should not be held accountable for participation in military actions”.
Not comment was immediately available from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Morocco on The case of Mr. Saadoun.
Trial took place in DPR, one of two Moscow-backed separatist entities in Donbass region of east of Ukraine.
Three days before Russia launched invasion on On February 24, Vladimir Putin recognized two entities in Donbass as a state independent of Ukraine and stated that the conflict was supposed to “liberate” region.
