A spokesman for Britain’s Foreign Office issued a statement following the news that Andrew Hill of Plymouth and Dylan Healy of Huntingdon had been charged with a “violent seizure of power” and had undergone “terrorist” training, according to a state news agency in Russian. controlled Donetsk. “We condemn the exploitation of prisoners of war and civilians for political purposes and we have put it to Russia,” the statement said. “We are in constant contact with the government of Ukraine about their cases and fully support Ukraine in its efforts to release them.” Hill, identified as a father-of-four from Plymouth, has appeared on Russian television in several clips, including one aired last month titled: “Exclusive – before the execution”. In the clip, he appeared to have been told he could face criminal charges, saying he was “being held here as a suspected mercenary.” Hill, who is said to have previously served in the British Army’s Lancaster Regiment, was first seen on Russian television after his arrest in late April. In the video, the 35-year-old appeared to be seriously injured, with his head bandaged and his left arm in a cast and supported by a sling. Dylan Healy. Composite: Presidium Network via PA/SWNS “I want to go home, to my country, 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 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 the same charges by authorities in Russian-controlled Donetsk. A court in Russian-controlled eastern Ukraine on Thursday convicted 28-year-old Aiden Aslin, from Newark, 48-year-old Shaun Pinner, from Watford, and Saaudun Brahim on charges of “terrorism”. Observers said the process was intended to mimic the war crimes trials of Russian soldiers taking place in Kyiv. Subscribe to First Edition, our free daily newsletter – every morning at 7am. BST Both Britons said they were serving in Ukrainian marines, making them active-duty soldiers who should be protected by the Geneva Conventions on prisoners of war. However, Russian state media have portrayed them as mercenaries and a court has 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 verdict.
