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10 Prisoners of WAR FREED by Putin After Saudis & PM Liz Mediation
Five Brit Prisoners of War Including Man Sentenced to Death Safely Returned From Ukraine
Prime Minister Liz Truss has confirmed the release of the five Brits - including Aiden Aslin, who had been sentenced to execution - after reports of Saudi Arabia's mediation talks with Vladimir Putin
BBC News 212SEP 2022.
Five British nationals held by Russian-backed forces have been safely returned, according to Prime Minister Liz Truss.
The Brits captured in Ukraine were released following a mediation by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Among those Brits is reportedly Aiden Aslin who had been sentenced to death, according to Health Minister Robert Jenrick.
Shaun Pinner, Andrew Hill, Dylan Healy and John Harding are also believed to be have been released - along with U.S citizens Alexander Drueke, 39, and Andy Huynh, 27
The group were pictured lading at Riyadh airport this evening following their release.
Families of the free men have spoken of their release after months of living in a nightmare.
Vladimir Putin wants to ‘drown Ukraine in blood’, President Zelensky warns
Aiden Aslin was captured by Russian forces
Shaun's sister Cassandra told the MailOnline: "I am just so relieved that my brother and the others will be home tomorrow.
"It has been hell for everybody but at last the worrying can stop for us.
"We must not forget all that is still happening in Ukraine, but for now our families can celebrate that our boys are home!"
In June, Aslin was one of two British men captured by Russian forces before they appeared before a court in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, a breakaway region in Ukraine's east.
Aiden Aslin (right) and Shaun Pinner (left) were both captured while fighting in Mariupol
Mr Jenrick tweeted: "I am delighted that my constituent, Aiden Aslin, and the other British prisoners of war held captive by the Russian authorities have finally been released."
At the time Aslin’s grandmother, Pamela Hall, said the family were exceptionally anxious about his situation: “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."
Liz Truss said on Twitter: "Hugely welcome news that five British nationals held by Russian-backed proxies in eastern Ukraine are being safely returned, ending months of uncertainty and suffering for them and their families.
10 prisoners of war step off the plane at Riyadh airport
Alexander Drueke, a U.S. citizen captured by Russian forces
"Russia must end the ruthless exploitation of prisoners of war and civilian detainees for political ends."
It is thought the five Brits are among 10 prisoners who have arrived in Riyadh from Russia.
Saudi Arabia's Prince Mohammed bin Salman had reportedly been in contact with the Kremlin over the release of prisoners which included five British citizens, one Moroccan, one Swede, one Croat, and two Americans.
British citizens Aiden Aslin (L) and Shaun Pinner (R) and Moroccan Saaudun Brahim (C)
The release comes after Vladimir Putin rushed through new laws which are likely to pave the way for mobilisation in Russia.
On Tuesday, Russia‘s parliament approved a bill to toughen punishments for crimes such as desertion, damage to military property and noncompliance if they are committed during military mobilisation or combat situations.
Shaun Pinner was among five Brits released
The bill, passed in its second and third readings on Tuesday by the Duma, comes as Russia seem poised to implement mobilisation, which would significantly escalate the conflict in Ukraine.
The Russian parliament gave initial approval for introducing the concepts of ‘mobilisation’ and ‘wartime’ into the country’s Criminal Code.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had been in talks with the Kremlin to mediate the release of 10 prisoners
Prime Minister Liz Truss
This follows intense pressure on Putin from hardliners to declare war, instead of a special military operation as they have been calling it, and mobilise men of military age to join the army.
“Judging by what is happening and what is about to happen, this week marks either the eve of our imminent victory or the eve of nuclear war,” leading propagandist Margarita Simonyan said.
Riyadh
Prisoners of war (five British citizens, one Moroccan, one Swede, one Croat, and two Americans) are seen in the tarmac after arriving in Riyadh
According to a copy of the bill, seen by Reuters, voluntary surrender would become a crime for Russian military personnel, punishable by 10 years in prison.
Failure to comply with an order during martial law will be punished by imprisonment for a term of two to three years.
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