Aiden Aslin, 28, from Nottinghamshire, and Shaun Pinner, 48, from Bedfordshire, are being held within the so-called Donetsk Individuals’s Republic and are accused of being mercenaries.
The boys say they have been serving with common navy models in Mariupol and so needs to be protected as prisoners of warfare by the Geneva Conference.
A 3rd British man, Andrew Hill, additionally faces prices after being captured within the Mykolaiv space, however his affiliation is unclear.
The BBC reported that Mr Aslin and Mr Pinner had appeared in what seems to be a court docket dock within the pro-Russian territory on Tuesday, alongside Saaudun Brahim, a Moroccan nationwide.
If the lads are convicted of the fees, which embrace attempting to “seize energy”, it’s feared the court docket, which isn’t internationally recognised, might go the demise penalty.
Footage of the lads exhibits they spoke solely to verify they have been conscious of the fees they face and say they consented to their case continuing with out witness proof, in line with the BBC.
Separatist president Denis Pushilin on Monday claimed “the crimes they dedicated have been monstrous”, in line with separatist information company DAN.
Household share emotional assertion
Family members of Mr Aslin, one in all three males accused of being mercenaries for Ukrainian forces, have mentioned they’re working with the International Workplace and Ukrainian authorities to try to get him residence.
In a press release launched by means of the International Workplace on Tuesday, they described the 28-year-old as a “much-loved man and really a lot missed”.
It comes after the president of Ukraine’s separatist Donetsk Individuals’s Republic mentioned the area’s supreme court docket is opening the trial of the three Britons.
The assertion learn: “We, the household of Aiden Aslin, want to ask for privateness at the moment from the media.
“It is a very delicate and emotional time for our household, and we want to say thanks to all which have supported us.
“We’re presently working with the Ukrainian authorities and the International Workplace to try to convey Aiden residence.
“Aiden is a much-loved man and really a lot missed, and we hope that he will likely be launched very quickly.”
Dominic Raab has mentioned the International Workplace will “make all of the representations” on Mr Aslin’s behalf.
Talking on Monday, he instructed LBC: “In relation to that case, I don’t know all the small print, however in fact we might count on the legal guidelines of armed battle to be revered, and we are going to guarantee that we are going to make all of the representations.
“I do know the International Workplace will likely be taking a look at ensuring all these representations are made.”
