Captured Briton Aiden Aslin planned to leave the army and get married, family says

Relatives of Aiden Aslin also denounced claims that the 28-year-old was a “volunteer, a mercenary or a spy” as Kremlin propaganda

The family of a Brit captured in fighting with Ukrainian forces say using videos of prisoners of war violates the Geneva Convention.

Relatives of Aiden Aslin have spoken of their despair over footage of him being shown on Russian television – and that he was planning to leave the army before war broke out.

His family also denounced claims that the 28-year-old was a “volunteer, a mercenary or a spy” as Kremlin propaganda.

In a statement from their MP Robert Jenrick, representing Newark in Nottinghamshire, the prisoner’s family said: “In 2018 Aiden moved to Ukraine where he met his girlfriend and eventually settled in Mykolaiv.

“Aiden decided to join the Ukrainian Marines and has been serving in his unit for almost four years.

“Contrary to Kremlin propaganda, he is not a volunteer, mercenary or spy. Aiden made plans for his future outside of the military, but like all Ukrainians, his life was turned upside down by Putin’s barbaric invasion.

“He did his part to defend Ukraine’s right to self-determination. The video, in which Aiden speaks under duress and clearly sustained physical injuries, is deeply disturbing.

“The use of POW images and videos is against the Geneva Convention and must stop.

“Together with the family of Shaun Pinner (the second Briton captured at Mariupol) we are in contact with the Foreign Office to ensure that the Russian authorities meet their obligations to prisoners of war under international law and ultimately to secure the release of Aiden and Shaun .

“Aiden is a very popular young man with a strong network of friends around him and a loving wife-to-be. At this difficult time, we urge you to respect our family’s privacy.”

Family members previously identified Ukraine as Mr Aslin’s adopted country.

Pictures aired on Russian television earlier this week appeared to show Mr Aslin being led around in handcuffs with a cut on his forehead.

The family statement came after Northern Ireland Minister Brandon Lewis declined to comment on proposals for a possible prisoner swap when asked about reports of Britons being captured while fighting for the Ukrainian military.

In footage aired on Russia’s Rossiya 24 on Monday, Mr Pinner addressed Boris Johnson and appeared to demand that he and Mr Aslin be swapped for pro-Kremlin politician Viktor Medvedchuk, who is being held in Ukraine.