British Man Sentenced To Death For Fighting In Ukraine To Be Executed, Family Say
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The family of a British man who has been sentenced to death in Ukraine have said his execution is set to go ahead.
Brits Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner, alongside Moroccan man Brahim Saaudun, were sentenced to death in eastern Ukraine after being accused of being mercenaries.
Russian state media revealed the sentences, which have been heavily condemned by Ukraine and the UK for violating international laws surrounding the protection of war prisoners.
Aslin's grandmother, Pamela Hall, has since spoken out, warning that he has been told 'time is running out' by his captors.
Hall told BBC Aslin was able to call his mother this morning, Wednesday, 22 June, but that he sounded 'extremely upset'.
"The bottom line is Aiden has said the DPR has told him nobody from the UK has made contact, and that he will be executed.
"I have to believe what Aiden has said to us, that if the DPR don't get some response then they will execute him. Obviously I hope that isn't true," she said.
Hall explained how she has 'cried buckets over this' but that 'crying doesn't help'.
She continued: "I want do so something but I don't know what to do.
"After Aiden's call this morning what am I supposed to think? I don't want to lose heart but it's very hard.
"I can't help but think that contact should be made between the UK and Russia."
Video footage recorded by Aslin revealed he, Pinner and their unit had to surrender themselves to Russian soldiers while in Mariupol because they 'ran out of ammunition', meaning they 'didn't really have any other choice'.
According to Aslin and Pinner's families, the two British men are not mercenaries but had already been serving with Ukraine's military for a long time prior to Russia's invasion of the country.
In an interview with the BBC, Hall stated: "He was an official member of the Ukrainian marines."
Russian news company RIA Novosti has stated the two Brits and Saaudun are also facing charges surrounding the undergoing of training to carry out terrorist activities and for the violent seizure of power.
Hall noted how there are 'no words' to describe the situation her grandson is in.
She said: "Just no words, it's got to be everyone's worst nightmare to have a member of your family threatened in this way."
Downing Street has said the UK government is 'deeply concerned' by the death sentences.
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has offered her 'thoughts' to the families of Aslin and Pinner and said the government will 'continue to do everything [it] can to support them'.
However, in fear of adding to the false narrative that the two men are mercenaries, ministers are reportedly reluctant to negotiate directly with Russia, according to sources from within the UK government.
A fellow Ukrainian marine, Alex Tobiassen, has called on the UK and Ukrainian government to 'step up and figure out a way to negotiate their release'.
"That's all I can hope for and that's all that I pray for," he said.
A rally is set to be held on Saturday, 25 June in Aslin's hometown of Newark in support of the captured soldiers.
Hall resolved: "There are a lot of people out there supporting Aiden and the other guys who are being held prisoner.
"I would tell Aiden we all send our love and support, and that there are thousands of people who there who support him and the other guys.
"The people of Newark have been tremendous in their support."
If you would like to donate to the Red Cross Emergency Appeal, which will help provide food, medicines and basic medical supplies, shelter and water to those in Ukraine, click here for more information
