British man sentenced to death for fighting in Ukraine told execution will go ahead, family say

Russian media claims no one from the UK has made contact

The family of a Brit who has been sentenced to death in Ukraine has said his execution will go ahead alongside two others accused of being mercenaries. Brits Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner are accused of terrorism alongside Moroccan man Brahim Saaudun, with their execution set for the near future. Russian state media RIA Novosti revealed the sentences, sparking fierce opposition from Ukraine and the UK, who pushed back against the charges. But according to Aslin's grandmother, Pamela Hall, "nobody from the UK has made contact" and his time is "running out." Aslin was able to call his grandmother on June 22, when he sounded "extremely upset." Speaking to the BBC, Hall said: "I have to believe what Aiden has said to us, that if the DPR don't get some response then they will execute him. Obviously I hope that isn't true," she said. "I want do so something but I don't know what to do," she continued. "After Aiden's call this morning what am I supposed to think? I don't want to lose heart but it's very hard." "I can't help but think that contact should be made between the UK and Russia," she added. [caption id="attachment_343544" align="alignnone" width="992"] Via Telegram[/caption] Aslin and his group were forced to surrender to Russian forces in Mariupol after they "ran out of ammunition" and "didn't really have a choice." But their families argue that they have been serving in Ukraine's military far before the Russian invasion on February 24. "He was an official member of the Ukrainian marines," Hall told the news outlet. She continued: "There are a lot of people out there supporting Aiden and the other guys who are being held prisoner. "I would tell Aiden we all send our love and support, and that there are thousands of people who there who support him and the other guys." Downing Street has remained "deeply concerned" by the news, with Foreign Secretary Liz Truss offering her "thoughts" to their families while pledging to do everything they can. But according to sources from the UK government, ministers are reluctant to negotiate directly with Russia. A rally is set to be staged on June 25 in Aslin's hometown of Newark. Related links:

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