Newark soldier Aiden Aslin's family react to him being put on trial in Donetsk

Newark soldier Aiden Aslin and his British comrade Shaun Pinner have gone on trial in Donetsk on trumped up charges.

The two men have been warned that they could face the death penalty if convicted, although it was banned in Russia.

Aiden’s family said they hoped it was propaganda and re-iterated their hopes that he and Shaun would be released soon.

Both men served in the Ukrainian Marines having lived in the country for a number of years and were captured, and paraded on Russian state TV, in the besieged city of Mariupol last month.

There have been widespread calls, including from Prime Minister Boris Johnson, for the men to be treated with compassion and as prisoners of war with all of the protections that the Geneva Convention offers.

In the latest development, the breakaway Donetsk People’s Republic prosecutor Andrei Spivak informed a TV crew: “They are charged with a number of crimes against civilians of the Donetsk People’s Republic.

“The maximum punishment for these crimes is the death penalty.”

Aiden was heard saying he understood the accusations against him, but strenuously denied killing any civilians while fighting in the Donbas region.

Aiden’s family said: “This is a very distressing and disturbing time for our family as we hope for the safe return of Aiden.

“We are desperate for him to stay safe and and to keep the story alive, but also ask the media to respect our privacy.

“We are trying to come to terms with what has happened to Aiden and now we are clinging on to all hope that they will kept safe and will home as soon as possible.

“We are a strong family and we all want the same thing — for Aiden and Shaun to be freed and return home safely.”

The man have been charged with acting deliberately as part of the armed forces of Ukraine, being on the territory of the Donetsk People’s Republic in a time of war.

They are also accused of trying to forcibly seize and retain power of the Russia-backed separatist region.

A number of further charges were listed — violating the constitution, firing artillery shells, committing terrorist acts, murdering citizens and threatening civilians.

Aiden, 28, said to camera: “I understand fully what I am accused off and I agree with it fully up to the part about murdering civilians. I don’t agree with [that].

“I agree with the fact that I fought on the territory of the [DPR], and fought against soldiers in peaceful settlements.”

Shaun appeared drained and said he understood the charges.

It is understood to be highly unlikely that the charges could have been brought without Russia’s approval.

And in relation to the video posted on YouTube by the pro-Kremlin blogger Graham Phillips, from Nottingham, of his questioning of Aiden, now removed, but re-posted elsewhere, the family said: “We are completely disgusted by this video and interview and grateful to all those who worked hard to have it removed from YouTube, it only added to the ongoing stress that our families are experiencing.”