Two Brits men captured by Russian troops and charged of mercenaries appeared in court on charges that carry possible death penalty.
Aiden Eslin from Newark in Nottinghamshire, has been spotted in video on Telegram with Sean Pinner from Bedfordshire and Sa’audun Brahim from Morocco.
They are being held in self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic, breakaway region in east of Ukraine.
men say they served with regular military units in Mariupol, so should be protected like prisoners of war by the Geneva Convention.
The third Briton, Andrew Hill, also charged after capture in Nikolaev area. Its ownership is unclear.
The president of Donetsk People’s Republic Denis Pushilin accused men of “monstrous” crimes, such as attempted capture power and crime against groups of people.
He said that their trial would begin in the region’s Supreme Court of Russia.
Mr Aslin family said in statement on Tuesday that it was a “very sensitive and emotional time” and that they were working with Ukrainian government and the UK Foreign Office to try to release 28-year-old.
“Aiden is a very loved person and is greatly missed and we hope he comes out very soon,” They said.
former care home worker joined Armed Forces of Ukraine as Marine Corps in 2018 and applied for citizenship, and has a Ukrainian bride.
Sean Pinner, left, and Aiden Eslin, right, before they were captured
Mr Pinner was filmed in April says he was was taken prisoner during the defense of Mariupol, he was adopted city.
His family emphasized then that he “was neither a volunteer nor a mercenary, but officially served with Ukrainian army”.
48-year-old told Sky News months before what he was on his fourth round of duty in Ukraine after serving in british army for nine years.
He lived in in the country since 2018 and has a Ukrainian wife.
This was stated by Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab. on Monday when the British government expected “laws of armed conflict must be presented” and the Foreign Office will make “all submissions”.
Russia current focus in the war is capture eastern Donbass region, made up of Lugansk and Donetsk.
Separatists unilaterally set up there are two self-proclaimed republics in 2014, but they are not recognized by Ukraine.
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