A Newark man has been told his execution will go ahead after he was sentenced to death by an internationally unrecognised Russian court, his family has said. Aiden Aslin, who fought with the Ukraine army against Vladimir Putin's invading forces, was given the sentence on June 9.
Appearing at a court in the separatist Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) alongside fellow Brit Shaun Pinner, the 28-year-old admitted to "training in order to carry out terrorist activities", according to the Russians.
Mr Aslin told his family his captors said there had been no attempt by UK officials to negotiate on his behalf. The Foreign Office is known to be actively investigating cases of British nationals who have been detained in Ukraine, and is providing support to the families of Mr Aslin and Mr Pinner, reports the BBC.
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Mr Aslin's family said they had spoken to him in a phone call in which he said he had been told "time is running out" by his captors. "There are no words, just no words, it's got to be everyone's worst nightmare to have a member of your family threatened in this way", Mr Aslin's grandmother Pamela Hall told the BBC.
"Aiden was extremely upset when he called his mother this morning. The bottom line is Aiden has said the DPR has told him nobody from the UK has made contact, and that he will be executed."
"I have to believe what Aiden has said to us, that if the DPR don't get some response then they will execute him. Obviously I hope that isn't true." A protest rally is being planned in support of Mr Aslin by the Ukrainian community in Nottingham this weekend.
"There are a lot of people out there supporting Aiden and the other guys who are being held prisoner," his grandmother said. "I would tell Aiden we all send our love and support, and that there are thousands of people who there who support him and the other guys.
"The people of Nottingham have been tremendous in their support."
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