British fighters captured in Ukraine could be executed, claims Russian state TV – World News

British militants Aiden Aslin, 28, Shaun Pinner, 48, and Andrew Hill, 35 – whose families previously claimed they were members of the Ukrainian army – have been warned they could face execution, although neither Russia nor Ukraine supports the death penalty to allow

The pro-Putin leader of the puppet regime in the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic has warned three British ‘mercenaries’ could face execution for ‘committing egregious crimes’.

Denis Pushilin spoke on the day the trial opened about the surrendered men who fought alongside Ukrainian defenders.

Aiden Aslin, 28, Shaun Pinner, 48, and Andrew Hill, 35, have already been warned they could face the death penalty – even though neither Russia nor Ukraine, on whose territory the DPR is located, allow executions.

Pushilin’s statement, shown on Russian state television, can be seen as tantamount to a political call for a death sentence after it claimed that “the crimes committed by Whey” were “outrageous”.

Nor did he contradict a comment by moderator Olga Skebeyeva – dubbed Putin’s “iron doll” – who branded her a “war criminal” before her trial was properly underway.

“Today the first hearing of the Supreme Court of the Donetsk People’s Republic in connection with the British mercenaries will take place,” he said.

“The evidence base is fully assembled. The crimes they have committed are outrageous.

“And I can say that according to the articles they have been charged with, I would not rule out the death penalty.

“But the decision will be made by the court.”

Skebeyeva demanded that the detainees not be sent home.

“What about the war criminals? People want details, want to know what’s next? Won’t they let her go, send her home?

“People want justice first and foremost.”

The combined comments appear to dashed any hopes of a fair trial in the small state of Donetsk.

The British Volunteer Fighters are charged with crimes committed by a group of people, the seizure or maintenance of power by force, and mercenary activity.

The maximum penalty is execution – presumably by gunshot – on a conviction for “acts in combat” in “wartime” against the pro-Putin region, a local law enforcement official said.

All three were taken in front of the cameras in violation of the Geneva Convention.

However, Russia and the DPR authorities say the convention does not apply to them as “mercenaries”.

The case against Pinner and Hill was concluded before authorities said over the weekend that they had closed the case against Aslin.

Moroccan citizen Sadun Brahim is also on trial.

Pinner and former nurse Aslin served with Brahim in Ukraine’s 36th Marine Brigade.

Pinner and Aslin were arrested in Mariupol in mid-April.

Four-time father Hill took place in Mykolaiv at the end of April.