Kremlin-friendly media insults captured British fighter over possible DEATH PENALTY

The British fighter, who was captured by Russian forces in Ukraine, was insulted by the Kremlin-friendly media because he faces the possible death penalty because he was a “mercenary”.

British journalist Graham Phillips insulted 28-year-old Aiden Aslin with the death penalty, a sentence handed down to Russian prisoners who were found guilty of a tenant in the Donetsk region.

It comes when the High Minister said today that the UK will not “help Russia” in replacing a Kremlin supporter with Britain’s Aslin and Shaun Pinner, 48, who were captured by Russian forces.

Aslin and Shaun Pinner, 48, were paraded on Russian state television on Monday, asking British Prime Minister Boris Johnson to intervene and ensure that they are replaced by Vladimir Putin’s ally Viktor Medvedchuk, detained by Ukrainian authorities.

Phillips, who previously worked for the Russian “propaganda channel” RT and Zvezda TV at the Ministry of Defense, insulted Aslin with the death penalty during the interview.

Phillips said, “It’s the death penalty [for being a mercenary]. Can you give me a reason why this should not apply to you? ”

Aslin replied: ‘I can’t think of any good logical reason as to save my life and exchange it for someone who is in Ukrainian captivity who could return to his family.

I think that would be one of the good reasons to keep me and replace me with someone like Viktor Medvedchuk so I can go back to my family.

Russian state media also warned that Pinner and Aslin could face trial and years in prison if Johnson does not intervene in the exchange for Medvedchuk.

Medvedchuk – known as the “Prince of Darkness” and Putin’s “Gray Cardinal” – is one of Ukraine’s richest men and Russia’s closest political ally in the country, helping to put pressure on the Kremlin in influential circles in Kiev.

The tycoon, worth about £ 480 million, was arrested again in Kiev last week while allegedly trying to flee the country as he escaped from house arrest in the early days of the war.

Meanwhile, Britain’s Northern Ireland said the UK would “not help” Russia in exchanging prisoners.

Asked further Sky News, whether the British government would be involved in a possible replacement, Lewis said: “Actually, we are going through a process of sanctioning people close to Putin’s regime, we will not look for ways to help Russia.”

Lewis said he declined to comment on the special situation of Pinner and Aslin, who served in Ukrainian marinas before being captured by Putin’s troops in the city. Mariupol last week.

“We always have a responsibility to British citizens, which we take seriously. We need to strike a balance in Ukraine, so I tell everyone: do not travel to Ukraine illegally, “Lewis said.

The UK Foreign Enrollment Act prevents foreign troops from fighting against countries at peace with Britain, and the government’s foreign minister and defense minister have warned against Britons fighting in Ukraine after the war started in late February.

In newsletters, Russian state channels made it clear that Aslin and Pinner were treated as “mercenaries” and not as members of the Ukrainian Marines.

‘Aiden and Shaun are well aware of how uncertain their future is. Mercenaries can face it. It is unknown when they will return to their homeland, “the state television Rossiya 1 warned.

Nikolai Starikov, a Russian writer and political activist, called for the British to be brought to Moscow and tried. This would inevitably apply to an exhibition trial.

“As far as British prisoners of war are concerned, they must be tried,” he demanded on Rossiya 1.

“They should be tried in an open court, maybe in Mariupol, maybe in Donetsk.

“Maybe in Kiev, but for me, Moscow is now the right place to do it.

Therefore, they must be judged openly, they must be tried in Moscow.

“Get a verdict and only then do we start a dialogue about what their future will be.”

Channel 1 – the country’s largest television station – told viewers: “Two British mercenaries who surrendered in Mariupol along with hundreds of Ukrainian soldiers have called on their Prime Minister Boris Johnson to influence Vladimir Zelensky to replace them with opposition politicians. Viktor Medvedchuk. “

The news highlighted the precarious situation of the couple in captivity in Russia, although it was claimed that they were well taken care of and that they were “even” allowed to call home.

“No army in the world takes mercenaries into battle. They are not covered by the Geneva Convention on Prisoners of War, so we can say that they are lucky, “Channel 1 reported.

Rossiya 1 said: “They are not legally subject to the rules of the Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War, as they are mercenaries who have signed a contract to fight for money.

“But both Brits acknowledge that they are being treated fairly and humanely.”

Men are used to echoing the Russian book about the Nazis in Ukraine.

Both were shocked by the attitude of the Ukrainian army and the Nazis from Azov [unit] civilians, ”Channel 1 said.

“Aiden Aslin is well aware that Kyiv has been violating peace agreements for eight years and killing Donbass civilians with impunity.”

Relatives of the men were urged not to classify them as “mercenaries”.

Pinner is a former soldier of King England and has made it clear that he considers Ukraine his second country to marry.

A statement issued by the Pinner family reads: “Shaun was a highly regarded soldier in the British Army who served in the Royal English Regiment for many years. He has served on numerous tours, including Northern Ireland and at the United Nations in Bosnia.

“In 2018, Shaun decided to move to Ukraine to use his previous experience and training in the Ukrainian army.

“Shaun enjoyed the Ukrainian way of life and has considered Ukraine his adopted country for the last four years. During this time, he met a woman Ukraine who is very focused on the humanitarian needs of the country.

“He was promoted to Ukrainian Marines as a proud member of his unit.”

The statement, issued through the Foreign Ministry, continued: “We would like to make it clear that he is neither a volunteer nor a mercenary, but officially serves the Ukrainian army in accordance with Ukrainian law.

“Our family is currently working with the Foreign Ministry along with the Aiden Aslin family, also held by the Russian military, to ensure respect for their rights as prisoners of war under the Geneva Convention.”