The UK government has condemned the exploitation of prisoners of war after two more British detainees by Russian representatives in eastern Ukraine and accused of “mercenary activities” could face the death penalty.
A British Foreign Ministry spokesman issued a statement following the news that Andrew Hill, of Plymouth, and Dylan Healy, of Huntingdon, had been accused of “seizing power by force” and being in training. “terrorist,” according to a state-controlled news agency in Donetsk controlled by Russia.
“We condemn the exploitation of prisoners of war and civilians for political purposes and we have raised this in Russia,” the statement said. “We are in constant contact with the Ukrainian government about their cases and we fully support Ukraine in its efforts to get them released.”
Hill, who was identified as the father of four children from Plymouth, has been featured on Russian television in several clips, including one that aired last month with the headline: “Exclusive, before the execution.”
In the clip, he appeared to have been informed that he could face criminal charges, saying he was “detained here as an alleged mercenary”.
Hill, who is said to have previously served in the Lancaster regiment of the British Army, first appeared on Russian television after his capture in late April. In the video, the 35-year-old man appeared to be seriously injured, with his head bandaged and his left arm embedded and supported by a sling.
“I want to go home, to my land, to my family, to my children,” he said in the recent clip, which appeared to have been filmed under duress. “I just want to go home. I’ll tell them the truth.”
The other man, Dylan Healy, is said to have worked in Ukraine as a humanitarian aid volunteer.
Two more Britons and a Moroccan were sentenced to death with the same charges by the authorities in Russia-controlled Donetsk.
A Russian-controlled court in eastern Ukraine on Thursday convicted Aiden Aslin, 28, of Newark, Shaun Pinner, 48, of Watford, and Saaudun Brahim of “terrorism.” Observers said the trial was intended to mimic war crimes trials of Russian soldiers taking place in Kyiv.
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Both British have said they were serving in the Ukrainian navy, turning them into active-duty soldiers who should be protected by the Geneva Conventions on Prisoners of War. However, Russian state media have presented them as mercenaries, and the court has convicted them of the charge of “being mercenaries.”
There is no set date for the execution of the sentences, and at least two of the men appeal against the sentence.