(Reuters) – Two Britons and a Moroccan who have been captured whereas combating for Ukraine may face the death penalty after pleading guilty in a court of certainly one of Russia’s proxies in japanese Ukraine, Russia’s RIA news agency reported.
Video revealed by RIA confirmed Britons Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner and Moroccan Brahim Saadoun in a courtroom cage with white bars.
RIA mentioned Pinner and Saadoun had pleaded guilty to actions aimed on the violent seizure of energy.
The video appeared to indicate Aslin pleading guilty to a lesser cost involving weapons and explosives. He was seen standing in the cage and leafing by a sheaf of authorized paperwork because the cost was translated to him.
The news agency quoted prosecutors as saying the mixed costs may imply the death penalty for all three.
Britain’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office didn’t instantly reply to an emailed request for remark late on Wednesday.
Saadoun was arrested in April. No remark was instantly accessible from the Moroccan international ministry on his case.
The trial is going down in the Donetsk People’s Republic, certainly one of two breakaway Russian-backed entities in the Donbas area of japanese Ukraine which Russia says it’s combating to “liberate” from Ukrainian forces.
Three days earlier than launching its Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine, Russia recognised them as unbiased states in a transfer condemned by Ukraine and the West as unlawful.
Aslin and Pinner have been captured in April whereas combating on the Ukrainian facet. They have been later proven on Russian TV asking to be freed in alternate for a Ukrainian ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin who had been detained by Ukrainian authorities.
Russia mentioned on the time they have been being fed, watered and given mandatory assist.
(Reporting by Mark Trevelyan; Editing by Howard Goller)
