Three captured Ukrainian-allied fighters sentenced to death

A pro-Russian court in the separatist-controlled region of Eastern Ukraine, known as the Donetsk People’s Republic, sentenced two British citizens and a Moroccan to the firing squad for working to violently overthrow the area’s rebel government. The three men served in the Ukrainian army before being captured by Russian forces. The unrecognized republic also convicted the trio of mercenary activities and terrorism, which their accusers said exempted them from the usual prisoner of war protections under the Geneva Conventions. Aiden Aslin, Shaun Pinner, and Saaudun Brahim have one month to appeal. British leaders have condemned the trial but not said whether their government will take action.

Why were they fighting for Ukraine? Aslin’s and Pinner’s families say the men were “long-serving” members of the Ukrainian military. Little is known about Brahim. Pinner and Aslin surrendered to pro-Russian forces in the southern port of Mariupol in mid-April, while Brahim did so in mid-March in the eastern city of Volnovakha. Another British fighter captured by the pro-Russian forces, Andrew Hill, is awaiting trial.

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