Putin spokesman says veterans detained in Ukraine will face an investigation and a trial
A Kremlin spokesman on Monday would not rule out the death penalty for two Americans captured by Russian forces while fighting for Ukraine.
"It depends on the investigation," Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for President Vladimir Putin, told NBC News in an interview. Alexander Drueke and Andy Huynh were participating in illegal activities, Peskov said, by shooting at Russian troops in Ukraine. The Americans "were endangering their lives," he said.
The 2 US military veterans were reported missing last week.
A Russian-controlled court in eastern Ukraine gave the death penalty to a Moroccan and 2 British citizens who had fought Russian forces earlier this month.
Ukraine said in March that 20,000 people from 52 countries had offered to join the fight on its side.
Peskov wouldn't say where the Americans, whom he called "soldiers of fortune," were being held but said they probably aren't protected by the Geneva Conventions because they weren't in Ukraine's regular army.
"There will be a court, and there will be a court decision," Peskov said, per NBC. "They should be punished."
Source: newser.com, Staff, June 21, 2022
Kremlin spokesman: Geneva Conventions likely don't apply to Americans captured in Ukraine
Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for the Kremlin, told NBC News during an interview on Monday that he couldn't guarantee that two Americans captured by Russia in Ukraine won't face the death penalty.
"It depends on the investigation," Peskov said. The captured men — Alexander Drueke, 39, and Andy Huynh, 27 — are both military veterans, and Peskov accused them of being "involved in illegal activities" in Ukraine, including "firing at our military guys. They were endangering their lives."
Peskov went on to promise "there will be a court, and there will be a court decision," adding that "they should be punished" for being "soldiers of fortune."
Peskov would not tell NBC News whether Drueke and Huynh are being held in Russia or by pro-Russia forces in eastern Ukraine, but said since they are not members of Ukraine's army, they are likely not covered by Geneva Conventions for prisoners of war.
Russia's state-controlled RT network reported on Friday that Drueke and Huynh are being held by separatists.
Source: theweek.com, Staff, June 21, 2022
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