Two Britons captured by Russian forces in Ukraine and a Moroccan appeared in court in territory held by pro-Russian rebels.

Aiden Aslin, 28, from Nottinghamshire, Shaun Pinner, 48, from Bedfordshire, and Moroccan national Saaudun Brahim are being held in the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic.

The Brits are reportedly charged with being mercenaries. But their families say they were in Ukraine’s military.

It is feared the court, which is not internationally recognised, could pass the death penalty if it convicts them.

A video has emerged of the two Britons attending a court hearing alongside a third man, Moroccan national Saaudun Brahim.

In the footage, Mr Aslin and Mr Pinner spoke only to confirm they knew the charges against them and were happy for their case to proceed without the evidence of witnesses.

Both were able to stand unaided and seemed aware of their surroundings.

They have also been accused of violent seizure of power and undergoing training to carry out terrorist activities.

The self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic, or DNR, was set up by pro-Russian separatists in 2014.

According to Russia’s Interfax news agency, leader of the DNR Denis Pushilin has said the men will be charged in the region’s supreme court.

source bbc.com

feature image from Telegram