A Newark councillor says that everyone in the town will be pleased by the news that Aiden Aslin is returning to the UK after being released by Russia. The 28-year-old was fighting in areas of Ukraine - including in the city of Mariupol - where he surrendered to Russian forces.
Worries about Mr Aslin's treatment were first raised after an online interview with him was posted by British expat Graham Phillips. On June 9, Mr Aslin, along with fellow Briton Shaun Pinner and Moroccan national Saaudun Brahim, was sentenced to death for his fighting in Ukraine.
Saudi Arabia has been mediating talks between Ukraine and Russia on releasing 10 prisoners of war - five of them who come from the UK and one of whom is Aiden Aslin. A statement from Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry on Wednesday (September 21) confirmed that all 10 prisoners had been released.
Councillor Johno Lee, a county and district councillor for Balderton, said: "It's great news for the family and all our thoughts at the moment are with his family and friends. Everyone in Newark will be pleased by this news and I just want to congratulate the family, because they have been fighting so hard to get Aiden home and working with the local MP and others to do that.
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"I've said from the start that we all need to be there for the family without being too overbearing. They know where we are if they need us and in my opinion it is going to be a long road to recovery for Aiden."
Newark's Conservative MP Robert Jenrick said: "I am delighted that my constituent, Aiden Aslin, and the other British prisoners of war held captive by the Russian authorities have finally been released and are on their way back to the UK. I am deeply grateful for the work undertaken by the Ukrainian government, the Saudi Crown Prince, Liz Truss, James Cleverly and the dedicated civil servants working in the FCDO Detainees team to bring their horrific ordeal to a close.
"Aiden's return brings to an end months of agonising uncertainty for Aiden's loving family in Newark who suffered every day of Aiden's sham trial but never lost hope. As they are united as a family once more, they can finally be at peace."
The Nottingham journalist who interviewed Aiden Aslin in what was widely said to be a Russian-backed propaganda stunt says he has "no personal feelings" about his release. Graham Phillips has previously worked for Kremlin-backed RT and has been accused of spreading Moscow propaganda.
During a 45-minute film released earlier this year, Mr Aslin answered 'no' when asked several times if he was speaking under duress. Questioned by Phillips, he recounted his time with the Ukrainian military and repeated several of Moscow's propaganda lines, including that he was a mercenary and not a legitimate combatant.
Addressing Mr Aslin's release, Mr Phillips said: "I don't have any plans to do another interview with Aiden. Aiden's release is something which has been granted to him by the Donetsk People's Republic, I never attempted to influence that decision in any way, as doing so would have clearly been out with the journalistic remit.
"The Donetsk People's Republic have arrived at the decision they have arrived at, that is that, I don't have any personal feelings about it. Generally, as a person of ethics, and morals, I support proper legal procedures, adherence to proper legal procedures, and justice."
The Prime Minister Liz Truss said: "Hugely welcome news that five British nationals held by Russian-backed proxies in eastern Ukraine are being safely returned, ending months of uncertainty and suffering for them and their families. I thank [Volodymyr Zelenskyy] for his efforts to secure the release of detainees, and Saudi Arabia for their assistance. Russia must end the ruthless exploitation of prisoners of war and civilian detainees for political ends."
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