Foreign Secretary condemns Newark's Aiden Aslin's death sentence passed in unrecognised court in Donetsk People's Republic

The Foreign Secretary has condemned the decision by a pro-Russian court to sentence Newark's Aiden Aslin to death.

Secretary Liz Truss Tweeted: "I utterly condemn the sentencing of Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner held by Russian proxies in eastern Ukraine.

"They are prisoners of war. This is a sham judgment with absolutely no legitimacy.

"My thoughts are with the families. We continue to do everything we can to support them."

Aiden's family has spoken out about the situation and you can read the full story here.

Aiden, 28, and fellow prisoner of war from England Shaun Pinner, 48, were charged with being mercenaries despite being members of the Ukraine armed forces.

The court in the Donetsk People's Republic that has passed sentence is not internationally recognised.

Moroccan national Saaudun Brahim has also been sentenced to death in the Donetsk People's Republic, which is held by pro-Russian rebels.

Both Newark's Aiden and Bedfordshire's Shaun were serving members of Ukraine’s armed forces and the UK has made clear they are prisoners of war entitled to immunity — and should not face prosecution for taking part in hostilities.

On Telegram, RIA News said: "The Supreme Court of the DPR passed the first sentence on mercenaries, the British Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner and the Moroccan Saaudun Brahim were sentenced to death, RIA Novosti correspondent reports from the courtroom."