Russia releases Morocco's Brahim Saadoun, British soldiers facing death penalty in Russian-occupied Ukraine

Russia Releases Morocco's Brahim Saadoun After Riyadh Mediation. Saadoun received a death sentence in June.

Russian authorities released today 10 foreign prisoners, including Morocco's Ibrahim Saadoun. The decision came following a mediation by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement that a plane carrying the prisoners landed in Saudi Arabia.

"The relevant Saudi authorities received and transferred them from Russia to the kingdom and are facilitating procedures for their respective countries," the statement said.

Russian authorities arrested Saadoun in April while fighting with the Ukrainian forces. Footage of his interrogation instantly became viral once shared online. Subsequently, The Donetsk court sentenced him to death in June. The court argued that the death penalty was the appropriate punishment for him, describing him as a member of foreign mercenaries in Ukraine.

In a recent interview with Russian media RT, Saadoun addressed a message to all people who would like to join the Ukrainian forces and said: “For those willing to come to Ukraine and join the army for their extremism, this place is not for you. If you join, you will harm your own country too.”

Saadoun was enrolled at the Faculty of Aerodynamic and Space Technologies at the Kiev Polytechnic Institute (KPI). The student, however, dropped out in 2021 to join the Ukrainian army.

Source: Morocco World News, Staff, September 22, 2022

British soldiers who were facing death penalty in Russian-occupied Ukraine released

British soldiers who were facing the death penalty in Russian-occupied Ukraine have been released months later, as reported on Thursday, September 22.

Video footage of the released British soldiers who have escaped the death penalty in Russian-occupied Ukraine, was shared on Twitter by BBC News Correspondent Emma Vardy:

“NEW: Aiden Aslin, Shaun Pinner & John Harding’s first video on their way home to the UK, as 5 British captives are freed ??”

“We just want everyone to know we’re out of the danger zone and on our way home to our families…thanks to everyone who’s been supporting us” – Aiden”

Shaun Pinner says the men got out “by the skin of our teeth.” British soldiers, 28-year-old Aiden Aslin and 48-year-old Shaun Pinner, were arrested in April, before their appearance in court in the Donetsk People’ Republic.

The Donetsk People’s Republic is a Ukrainian breakaway state that was formed on April, 7, 2014 by pro-Russian separatists after the Ukrainian Revolution of Dignity took place.

Russia previously commented that as the soldiers were mercenaries, laws on prisoners of war did not apply.

The head of the Donetsk People’s Republic, previously spoke on the execution of the British soldiers and other foreign mercenaries, stating:

“All foreigners have filed an appeal, we are waiting for the court hearing. If the court finds that the punishment is appropriate, then the cases will be transferred to the executive service for the implementation of the sentence. It is envisaged to be carried out through firing squad.”

He added that there is “no exact date for the execution.” With the decision reportedly to be made “non-publicly.”

Source: Euro Weekly News, Staff, September 22, 2022

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