Russia sentences foreign soldiers in Ukraine to death... UN expresses concern "constitutes war crimes"

DPR Supreme Court Sentences Two British and One Moroccan to Death

On the 9th (local time), two British and one Moroccan individuals captured by Russian forces in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine, are held behind bars at the court of the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), a pro-Russian rebel government. These three, who joined the Ukrainian forces and participated in combat before surrendering, were sentenced to death by the court.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Nayeon] The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) raised doubts on the 10th (local time) about the legitimacy of the trial in which Russia sentenced three foreign nationals captured while fighting for Ukraine to death, stating that it constitutes a war crime.

According to AFP, Lavina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the OHCHR, told reporters on the 10th (local time), "The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) is concerned about the so-called Supreme Court of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR)."

Earlier, the DPR Supreme Court sentenced three individuals?28-year-old British nationals Aiden Aslin and Sean Pinner, and Moroccan national Brahim Saadoun?to death, stating that they "committed acts of mercenary activity, seizure of power, and subversion of constitutional order."

Spokesperson Shamdasani pointed out, "Since 2015, the DPR judiciary has failed to uphold promises of fair trials such as public hearings, independence, and impartiality," adding, "Such trials of prisoners of war constitute war crimes."

The two British nationals surrendered to Russian forces in mid-April in Mariupol, southern Ukraine, while the Moroccan national was reportedly captured on March 12 in Volnovakha, Donetsk Oblast.

Russian media reported that if they are found guilty, they could be executed by firing squad under DPR law.

UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has been working to resolve the situation, including speaking with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. Earlier, Secretary Truss stated on Twitter, "They are prisoners of war, and the death sentence is a baseless and illegitimate verdict."

The UK Prime Minister's Office reported, "Prime Minister Boris Johnson was horrified by their sentencing." The office explained, "We support Ukraine's efforts to secure their release; they were Ukrainian soldiers and therefore prisoners of war."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.