British prisoner of war captured by Vladimir Putin’s forces in Ukraine may face the death penalty in Russian courts, according to the pro-Russian separatist group Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR).
Aiden Aslin, 28, from Nottingham, was taken prisoner in Mariupol in April after his unit ran out of ammunition and food.
He is one of at least three British men being held by pro-Russian forces.
Shaun Pinner, 48, and Andrew Hill, 35, were also captured and are being held by the authorities in the so-called DPR.
The announcement from the DPR Prosecutor General’s Office, which was posted to Telegram, said Mr Aslin had been charged with four separate offences: Committing a crime as part of a criminal group; forcible seizure of power or forcible retention of power; being a mercenary; and the promotion of training in terrorist activities.
“Taking into account wartime, on the basis of the provisions of the current main law, according to the results of the trial, the mercenary may be assigned an exceptional measure of punishment – the death penalty,” the statement said.
In a statement, his family said: “We, the family of Aiden Aslin, wish to ask for privacy at this time from the media.
“This is a very sensitive and emotional time for our family, and we would like to say thank you to all that have supported us.
“We are currently working with the Ukrainian government and the Foreign Office to try and bring Aiden home. Aiden is a much-loved man and very much missed, and we hope that he will be released very soon.”
When asked about Aiden Aslin, the British fighter in Ukraine who was captured by Russian forces in April and reportedly faces the death penalty, Dominic Raab said the Foreign Office will “make all the representations” on his behalf.
The Deputy Prime Minister told LBC: “In relation to that case, I don’t know all the details, but of course we would expect the laws of armed conflict to be respected, and we will make sure that we will make all the representations.
“I know the Foreign Office will be looking at making sure all those representations are made.”
Several videos had initially surfaced via Russian media of Mr Aslin and fellow British fighter Shaun Pinner who was also captured while defending the city of Mariupol.
In the clips, the men, who had lived in Ukraine for four years and served in its forces before the invasion began, appear to spout Kremlin talking points and disavow their former actions, leading to fears that they were being coerced into speaking out.
The captive begged the Prime Minister to help bring him home in exchange for Ukraine releasing pro-Russian politician Viktor Medvedchuk.
“We would call on Russia and Putin to treat any prisoners of war properly in line with conventions and laws,” a spokesman for the prime minister said.
