Death Sentences Imposed On Britons Aiden Aslin And Shaun Pinner Have Been Described As False Verdicts .

Three men arrested in Ukraine have been sentenced to death by pro-Moscow rebels. ITV News Europe editor James Mates reports. The death sentences handed down to three men, including two Britons who were arrested by Russia while fighting for Ukraine, have been described as a “false crisis with absolutely no legitimacy”. Aiden Aslin, 28, of Nottinghamshire and Shaun Pinner, 48, of Bedfordshire, were convicted of violently seizing power in a court in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR). The third to be convicted is said to be Saaudun Brahim, a Moroccan national. Foreign Minister Liz Tras said she “absolutely condemns” the sentence. “They are prisoners of war. This is a sham crisis with absolutely no legitimacy,” he wrote on Twitter. “My thoughts are with the families. We continue to do what we can to support them.” Mr Aslin told reporters after the sentencing: “I hoped the sentence would be much fairer given the circumstances under which I assisted the investigation and also because I was handed over to the Donetsk People’s Republic.
“I wish it were different, but God will be the one to judge me when the time comes.”
“God will judge me,” Aslin said after the sentencing Russia’s state-run RIA Novosti news agency reported on Thursday that the three men were to face an executive branch. They have one month to appeal. The court found them guilty of taking action to violently overthrow the government, a crime punishable by death in an unrecognized democracy held by Russian-backed rebels. The court is not internationally recognized. They were also convicted of mercenary activities and terrorism. Another British fighter captured by pro-Russian forces, Andrew Hill, is awaiting trial. ITV News political reporter Shehab Khan explains how the government reacts to the death penalty Mr Alsin’s MP, former Secretary of State Robert Genrik, said he had spoken to the families of the two Britons on Thursday and that they were both “devastated”. “Two British citizens have been tried in a Soviet-style trial and are now convicted of false charges and sentenced to death. “This could not be a more serious situation. We must ensure that these people are treated properly under international law and transported home, either to friends and family in Ukraine or back to the United Kingdom.” Aiden Ashlin MP Robert Genrik described the trial as a “Soviet-era trial” and the allegations as “fake.” Mr Aslin and Mr Pinner were fighting with Ukrainian forces in the southern port city of Mariupol when they were taken prisoner in mid-April, while Mr Brahim was arrested in mid-March in the eastern city of Volnovakha. Following their arrest, Mr Aslin and Mr Piner appeared on video in April asking to take part in an exchange of prisoners in exchange for pro-Russian politician Viktor Medveτσuk, who was being held by Ukraine. Aiden Aslin is from Nottinghamshire. The Kremlin reportedly proposed the exchange more than a week before the video aired. Moscow-backed separatists have claimed that the three fighters are “mercenaries” who are not entitled to the usual protection afforded to prisoners of war. In response, the families of Mr. Aslin and Mr. Piner said the men, who are believed to have both lived in Ukraine since 2018, were members of the Ukrainian army with “long service.” Mr Aslin has been sworn in as a member of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The government has called for the rights of men as prisoners of war to be respected under the Geneva Convention, which stipulates that they must be treated humanely and protected from humiliating or degrading treatment. A spokesman for No. 10 said: “Obviously we are deeply concerned about this. We have consistently said that prisoners of war should not be exploited for political purposes. “Under the Geneva Conventions, prisoners of war are entitled to combat immunity and should not be prosecuted for engaging in hostilities. “In this way, we will continue to work with the Ukrainian authorities to secure the release of any British nationals who have served in the Ukrainian armed forces and are being held as prisoners of war.” Do you want a quick and specific update on the biggest news? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out what you need to know Mr Ashlin’s family, which has previously urged the government to “act now”, issued a moving statement calling for his release on Tuesday. In a statement released by the State Department, Mr. Ashlin’s family called for privacy and said: “This is a very sensitive and emotional moment for our family and we would like to thank all those who supported us. “We are currently working with the Ukrainian government and the Foreign Office to try to bring Aiden home. “Eden is a very popular person and he misses him a lot, and we hope he will be released very soon.”