Two British fighters, including one from Watford, captured by Russian troops in Ukraine have been sentenced to death by pro-Russia officials.
Shaun Pinner, 48, of Watford, and Aiden Aslin, 28, were found guilty of “terrorism” by a court in the Russian-occupied east of Ukraine.
According to Russian official media source RIA Novosti, Pinner was sentenced to death on June 9 together with his Aiden Aslin and Moroccon national, Brahim Saadoune, after they were charged with serving as “mercenaries” for Ukraine.
They were captured in Mariupol while fighting with Ukrainian forces, according to footage shown on Russian television.
Shaun is a former resident of Watford, who moved to Ukraine in 2018 and subsequently enlisted in the Ukrainian armed forces.
Liz Truss, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the UK said the UK continues to back Ukraine against Putin’s “barbaric” invasion.
A tweet by Liz Truss reads: “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 judgment with absolutely no legitimacy.
“My thoughts are with the families. We continue to do everything we can to support them.”
The UK Foreign Office has been contacted for comment.
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