The mum of former prisoner of war Aiden Aslin has spoken out on her "six months of hell" in which her son was sentenced to death by Russia-backed forces in Ukraine.
Ang Wood thought she would never see her son alive again after he was captured earlier this year then sentenced to death by a court in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic.
Aiden was forced to sing the Russian national anthem and praise his captors in twisted videos posted online.
He was held captive along with fellow detainee 48 year-old Shaun Pinner, a former British soldier who had been a member of the Royal Anglian Regiment.
In the wake of Aiden and Shaun's release yesterday, the relieved mum said: "The way in which he was treated whilst in captivity was inhumane and against the Geneva Convention.
"The Russians have put my family through nearly six months of hell through their blackmail and propaganda.
"I watched those propaganda videos and they were horrific. I knew [what he was being made to say] was all lies.
"I have been contacted by those holding him captive.
"It was a sham trial. The death sentence he was handed was a big emotional stress and torture for our family.
"I never thought I would see him alive again."
Ang said she received a telephone call out of the blue 24 hours ago to say her son was being released from captivity.
She told how she was scarcely able to believe it, having been sent a tweet the night before from Donetsk to say that he had been executed.
Describing the moment she was reunited with her son, she added: "It was so emotional. I was elated. I thought this day would never happen.
"The first thing that I needed to do was to give him a big hug and to make sure he was real. It still doesn't feel. It feels like a dream. I am in shock.
"We as a family are really happy to have him home safe and well and out of danger.
"We wish to now have privacy so that we as a family can rebuild our lives.
"We just want to thank everyone who has supported us through this horrific ordeal at the hands of the Democratic People's Republic.
"I want to thank the Saudi Crown Prince for his help in initiating the negotiations to release Aiden.
"I can't thank Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, Robert Jenrick and President Zelensky for helping our family.
"I also want to thank the people of Newark for all of the support they have given us over these difficult months.
"I am very proud of Aiden for standing in defence of Ukraine against Putin and and this war; Putin's war.
"Aiden loved the Ukraine and the people. I'd let him go back one day, but not the the armed forces."
Among other family members to meet Aiden at a hotel by the airport this morning was his younger brother Nathan and the Ukrainian fiancee who came to the UK as a refugee from the war, bringing with her a cat that Aiden had saved from the trenches that she had refused to leave behind.
As Aiden arrived home today, their home town is under attack by Russian forces and it is not known whether their house is still standing.
Nathan said: "It has been seven incredibly long and tortuous months since I last hugged him in Odessa.
"I didn't think I would ever have the chance again.
"When mum rang with the news she was in tears and I thought she was about to tell me the death sentence had been carried out. Instead, it was the opposite. The best news. A massive relief.
"To have him home, to have all of them home, is amazing. To see him happy with his fiancee is amazing."
Shaun's family has also released a statement, saying tonight: “It’s been a harrowing time for Shaun and our family which has now had such a happy resolution.”
