The family of a Nottinghamshire man who has reportedly been sentenced to death after being captured in Ukraine have appealed for the judgement to be overturned. It has been reported that Aiden Aslin, 28, from Newark, who was captured by Russian forces in April while fighting for Ukraine, has now been handed a death sentence by a Russian court.
He was captured while fighting for the Ukrainian Marines and has been used as a bargaining chip by Vladimir Putin's regime for the release of a pro-Russian politician being held in Ukraine. Mr Aslin moved to Ukraine in 2018 and later joined the armed forces.
Fellow Briton Shaun Pinner, 48, also appeared at a court in the separatist Donetsk People's Republic (DPR). It is claimed by state-owned Russian news agency RIA that the pair have admitted "training in order to carry out terrorist activities".
Read more: Aiden Aslin death sentence labelled 'sham judgement' after capture in Ukraine
Aiden's family told the Newark Advertiser: "We've heard the news from Donetsk and need some time to take everything in. We love Aiden with all our hearts. He and Shaun, as members of Ukrainian armed forces, should be treated with respect just like any other prisoners of war.
"They are not, and never were, mercenaries. We hope that this sentence will be overturned and beseech the government's of the UK and Ukraine to do everything in their power to have them returned to us safely, and soon.
"We can only imagine what they are going through right now. This is a very upsetting development and we ask that our privacy is respected at this time."
After the news of the death sentence broke, the UK Government called it a "sham judgement". Liz Truss, Foreign Secretary, said: "I utterly condemn the sentencing of Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner held by Russian proxies in eastern Ukraine.
"They are prisoners of war. This is a sham judgement with absolutely no legitimacy. My thoughts are with the families. We continue to do everything we can to support them."
Deputy Leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council, Keith Girling, said the situation 'beggared belief'. "It is behaviour that is going back to the Second World War and the German's treatment of prisoners - it is monstrous," he said.
"It is very dangerous and very sad and I really feel for his family. I hold out hope that it is all a negotiation tactic - it just beggars belief and I cannot understand it.
"He had been there a long time before the war and has a family connection to the country. He is a prisoner of war, not a mercenary, and he was a member of Ukraine's armed forces and that has never been in any doubt.
"I am a veteran and we were always told about the importance of treating prisoners according to the rules of the Geneva Convention. He has not committed any atrocities - he does not deserve this. All I can do is offer as much support as possible to his family."
People in Balderton, Newark, where Mr Aslin's family live, thought the news was "awful". Diane Lukes, 52, who lives in Balderton, said: “It’s awful absolutely awful.
“She’s [Aiden's mum] going to be absolutely beside herself," The café worker added. “I’ve never met him as he’s always been abroad."
Debbie Guthrie, 55, a hairdresser from Balderton, added: “It’s dreadful. It’s just shocking.”
Marco Pereira, 38, who lives in Balderton and works as a software developer, said: “It is very sad to hear. I don’t actually know him but I know people who know him."
After the news of the death sentence broke, the UK Government called it a "sham judgement". Liz Truss, Foreign Secretary, said: "I utterly condemn the sentencing of Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner held by Russian proxies in eastern Ukraine.
"They are prisoners of war. This is a sham judgement with absolutely no legitimacy. My thoughts are with the families. We continue to do everything we can to support them."
Newark MP Robert Jenrick has blasted the sentencing of a Nottinghamshire man to death as a 'disgusting Soviet-era style show trial'.
Mr Jenrick, Conservative MP, posting on Twitter, said: "This disgusting Soviet-era style show trial is the latest reminder of the depravity of Putin’s regime. Russia should be clear, they cannot treat British citizens like this and get away with it.
"Contrary to the Kremlin’s propaganda, Aiden Aslin is not a mercenary. He has been living in Ukraine and serving in its armed forces before Russia’s illegal invasion and as a prisoner of war is entitled to protection under the Geneva Convention.
"The Russian Ambassador should be summoned to the Foreign Office to account for this most egregious breach of the Geneva Convention. Aiden must be released as soon as practicable."
In a later Tweet, Mr Jenrick added: "Russian proxies have subjected my constituent Aiden Aslin to a fraudulent show trial and sentenced to death. This is an egregious breach of international law and must not be allowed to pass."
