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Two British citizens, whom Russia claims captured during battles with Ukrainian forces in Mariupol, appeared in a video broadcast on Russian state television on Monday. In the video, the two men called for their release in exchange for pro-Kremlin politician Viktor Medvedchuk, who was detained last week by Ukrainian forces.
At about the same time on Monday, Ukraine’s intelligence service released footage of Medvedchuk urging Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky to exchange him for “defenders of Mariupol” and “residents who are there today and unable to leave.” safely through a humanitarian corridor. “
Videos of the Russian-Ukrainian duels raised questions about the treatment of detainees and prisoners of war nearly two months after the conflict. They also hinted that both sides could prepare the stage for a possible exchange.
It was not clear how freely Medvedchuk, 67, or the two British nationals, Sean Piner, 48, and Aiden Aslin, 28, spoke in the videos, which appeared to be filmed in custody.
Piner and Aslin spoke separately in the video, in which they asked British Prime Minister Boris Johnson to work on an exchange. At times, they seemed to be prompted by an unidentified man.
“I understand that Mr. Medvedchuk has been detained and we want to exchange ourselves and Aiden Aslin for Mr. Medvedchuk,” Piner said. “Obviously, I would really appreciate your help on this issue and the passage of this agenda.”
Russia has previously said it is not interested in an exchange, as Medvedchuk is not a Russian citizen. He previously led the pro-Russian Opposition Platform for Life party and is one of the richest people in Ukraine.
Ukrainian authorities announced last week that he had been detained in an attempt to flee the country after escaping house arrest. He was arrested last year on charges of treason and terrorist financing, which he denies.
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Human rights groups such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have called on Ukraine to stop publishing photos and videos of captured Russian soldiers, some of whom were recorded while being questioned.
According to the Geneva Conventions governing the laws of war, captured prisoners must be treated humanely and may not be subjected to degrading or degrading treatment.
In a statement Monday, Piner’s family said they hoped the two men would return home soon and were working with the British Foreign Office and Aslin’s relatives to ensure their rights were respected.
“We would like to clarify that he is not a volunteer or a mercenary, but officially serves in the Ukrainian army in accordance with Ukrainian law,” the British Guardian said in a statement.
Piner moved to Ukraine in 2018 and considers it his adopted country, according to the family. He married a Ukrainian woman and served as a Marine.
The British traitors who are fighting Ukraine seem to appear in the Russian show
Aslin joined the Ukrainian Marines in 2018 and served in the 36th Marine Brigade in Mariupol, a key battlefield in southeastern Ukraine, his friend Brennan Phillips told The Washington Post last week.
Aslin’s first video in captivity appeared last week and was also broadcast on Russian television. He could be seen in handcuffs and bruises on his head.
His grandmother Pamela Hall told the BBC: “I never expected that. I thought that if the worst came to the worst, Aiden would die in battle. Obviously I didn’t want that – I wanted the war to end and he to go home to his fiancée. “
I am working with @FCDOGovUK to track the whereabouts and secure the release of my voter, Aiden Aslin.
Aiden chose to risk his life because he passionately believes in the right of the Ukrainian people to live in freedom and democracy. https://t.co/kAv84mH1Wc
– @RobertJenrick April 13, 2022
Russian footage showing two captured Britons could also put pressure on Johnson to intervene.
Relations between Britain and Russia have been icy for years, but have deteriorated significantly since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
Johnson is set to be a key ally of Kyiv, where he made a surprise visit earlier this month, walking the streets of the city with Zelensky.
On Saturday, Moscow banned Johnson and other top British politicians from entering Russia because of “Britain’s unprecedented hostility” in connection with the war in Ukraine.
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