Dueling videos from Russia and Ukraine have raised questions about the treatment of detainees and prisoners of war nearly two months into the conflict. They also indicated that both sides could pave the way for a possible trade-off.
It is not clear how free Medvedchuk, 67, or British subjects, Shaun Pinner, 48, and Aiden Eslin28, were speaking in videos that appear to have been filmed while in detention.
Boehner and Aslen spoke separately in the video, asking British Prime Minister Boris Johnson to work on an exchange. At times, they seemed to be driven by an unidentified man.
“I understand that Mr. Medvedchuk has been arrested, and we look forward to replacing myself and Aiden Aslin for Mr. Medvedchuk,” Benner said. “Obviously, I really appreciate your help with this and pushing this agenda.”
Russia has previously confirmed that it is not interested in an exchange because Medvedchuk is not a Russian citizen. He previously led the pro-Russian opposition Tribune party – Party for Life and he is One of the richest people in Ukraine.
Ukrainian authorities announced last week that he had been arrested while trying to flee the country after escaping from house arrest. He was arrested last year on charges of treason and terrorist financing, which he denies.
Rights groups such as AI And Human Rights Watch They demanded that Ukraine stop publishing photos and videos of captured Russian soldiers, some of whom were recorded while being interrogated.
Under the Geneva Conventions, which govern the laws of war, prisoners of war must be treated humanely and may not be subjected to humiliating or degrading treatment.
In a statement on Monday, Benner’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 upheld.
“We would like to make it clear that he is neither a volunteer nor a mercenary, but officially serves with the Ukrainian army in accordance with Ukrainian legislation,” said the statement, which was reported by Britain’s Guardian newspaper.
Pinner Moved to Ukraine in 2018 He considered it the country that adopted it according to the family. He married a Ukrainian woman and served in the navy.
Aslin joined the Ukrainian Marines in 2018 and served in the 36th Marine Brigade in Mariupol, a major battlefield in southeastern Ukraine, his friend Brennan Phillips told the Washington Post last week.
The first video of Aslin in captivity appeared last week and was also broadcast on Russian television. Show him handcuffed and bruised on the head.
Grandmother Pamela Hall He told the BBC“I never expected this. I thought if the worst came to the worst, Aiden would die fighting. I obviously didn’t want it – I wanted the war to end and for him to go back to his fiancée’s house.”
I work withTweet embedTo track their whereabouts and secure the release of my confidant, Aiden Aslin.
Aydin chose to risk his life because he strongly believes in the right of the Ukrainian people to live freely and democratically. https://t.co/kAv84mH1Wc
– Robert Jenrick April 13, 2022
Russian footage showing two captured Britons could pressure Johnson to intervene.
Relations between Britain and Russia have been lukewarm for years, but have worsened significantly since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
Johnson has emerged as a key ally of Kiev, making a surprise visit earlier this month, Walking in the city streets with Zelensky.
On Saturday, Moscow ban johnson and other senior British politicians from entering Russia because of what they called Britain’s “unprecedented hostile actions” over the war in Ukraine.
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