The UK government has condemned the exploitation of prisoners of war after two more Britons held by Russian proxies in eastern Ukraine and accused of “mercenary activities” could be sentenced to death.
A British Foreign Office spokesman released a statement following the news that Andrew Hill, of Plymouth, and Dylan Healy, of Huntingdon, had been charged with “forceful seizure of power” and received “terrorist” training, according to the Russian-controlled Donetsk state news agency.
“We condemn the exploitation of prisoners of war and civilians for political purposes and have raised the matter with Russia,” the statement said. “We are in constant contact with the government of Ukraine regarding their cases and fully support Ukraine in its efforts to release them.”
Hill, who has been identified as a father-of-four from Plymouth, has been featured on Russian television in several clips, including one aired last month with the headline: “Exclusive – before the execution”.
In the clip, he appears to have been informed that criminal charges could be brought against him, saying he was “detained here as a suspected mercenary”.
Hill, who is reported to have previously served in the British Army’s Lancaster Regiment, was first shown on Russian television after his capture in late April. In the video, the 35-year-old man appears badly injured, with his head bandaged and his left arm in a cast supported by a sling.
Dylan Healy. Composite: Presidium network via PA/SWNS
“I want to go home, to my homeland, to my family, to my children,” he said in the recent clip, which appears to have been filmed under duress. “I just want to go home. I will tell them the truth.”
The other man, Dylan Healy, was reportedly working in Ukraine as an aid volunteer.
Two more Britons and a Moroccan were sentenced to death on identical charges by authorities in Russian-controlled Donetsk.
A court in Russian-controlled eastern Ukraine on Thursday convicted Aidan Aslin, 28, of Newark, Sean Pinner, 48, of Watford, and Saudoun Brahim on “terrorism” charges. Observers said the trial was intended to mimic the war crimes trials of Russian soldiers being held in Kyiv.
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Both Britons said they had served in the Ukrainian marines, making them active soldiers who should be protected by the Geneva Prisoner of War Conventions. However, Russian state media portrayed them as mercenaries and the court convicted them of being “mercenaries”.
No date has been set for the sentences to be carried out, and at least two of the men are appealing the sentence.
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