Two more Britons in Ukraine detained and charged by Russia

EuroActiv Politico News

Two more British men detained by Russian forces in Ukraine have been charged by Moscow with fighting as mercenaries, according to Russian state media TASS.

Aid worker Dylan Healy and military volunteer Andrew Hill have been charged by Russian proxy courts, which are not recognized internationally.

It comes after two other British men, Shaun Pinner and Aiden Aslin, as well as Moroccan national Brahim Saadoune, were sentenced to death last month. They were facing the same charges.

“We condemn the exploitation of prisoners of war and civilians for political purposes and have raised this with Russia,” a spokesperson for the British Foreign Office said.

“We are in constant contact with the government of Ukraine on their cases and are fully supportive of Ukraine in its efforts to get them released,” the office added.

Healy and Hill were reportedly captured by Russian forces in Ukraine in April.

The European Court of Human Rights issued an order for interim measures in the earlier case, saying that Russia “should ensure that the death penalty imposed on the applicants was not carried out; ensure appropriate conditions of their detention; and provide them with any necessary medical assistance and medication.”