{{short description|British foreign volunteer fighter (born 1994)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}{{Use British English|date=June 2023}} {{pp-extended|small=yes}} {{POV|date=June 2023}}{{Infobox military person | image = File:Aiden_Aslin.jpg | caption = Aslin in 2021 | name = Aiden Aslin | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1994|01|07}}<ref name="kyivpost" /> | birth_place = Newark, Nottinghamshire, England | nickname = Rojhat Rojava, Johnny Wood, Cossack Gundi<ref name="reaperfeed.com">{{cite web | url=https://reaperfeed.com/interview-british-fighter-donbass-cossack-gundi/ | title=An Interview with a British Fighter in Donbass - Cossack Gundi | date=2 March 2021 | access-date=1 May 2022 | archive-date=14 April 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220414165214/https://reaperfeed.com/interview-british-fighter-donbass-cossack-gundi/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="TIMESUK">{{Cite news |last1=George |first1=Grylls |last2=Parker |first2=Charlie |date=2022-04-12 |title=Briton Aiden Aslin 'surrenders' in Mariupol as he runs out of food |work=The Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/british-fighter-captured-by-russians-in-mariupol-mrgbph35h |url-access=subscription |access-date=2022-04-13 |issn=0140-0460 |archive-date=13 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413090106/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/british-fighter-captured-by-russians-in-mariupol-mrgbph35h |url-status=live }}</ref> | birth_name = Aiden Daniel John Mark Aslin | allegiance = Rojava<br />Ukraine | branch = {{tree list}} * Syrian Democratic Forces *Ukrainian Navy {{tree list/end}} | service_years = 2015–2016 (YPG)<br /> 2018–2022 (Ukraine) | unit = People's Defence Unit<br>36th Separate Marine Brigade | battles = {{tree list}} * Syrian Civil War ** Rojava conflict ** War against the Islamic State * Russo-Ukrainian War ** War in Donbas ** Russian invasion of Ukraine *** Siege of Mariupol{{Surrendered}} {{tree list/end}} }} '''Aiden Daniel John Mark Aslin'''<ref name="kyivpost">{{Cite news |last=Smart |first=Jason Jay |date=2023-04-24 |title=Freed British POW with Ukrainian State Award Now Blocked from Schengen Zone |url=https://www.kyivpost.com/post/16201 |work=Kyiv Post}}</ref> ({{Langx|uk|Ейден Аслін}}; born 7 January 1994) is a British-Ukrainian soldier.
As a British citizen, he was captured by Russian forces in April 2022 while fighting as a Ukrainian Marine in Mariupol.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2022-04-14|title=Aiden Aslin: Family's 'distress' at video of captured Briton|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-61159284|access-date=2022-07-12|archive-date=12 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712045048/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-61159284|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="newarkadvertiser">{{Cite news |last=Churcher |first=Dan |date=8 March 2022 |title=Newark's Aiden Aslin is alive but he may still be in besieged Ukrainian city of Mariupol |url=https://www.newarkadvertiser.co.uk/news/after-days-of-not-knowing-news-comes-newarks-aiden-aslin-9243558/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220418094822/https://www.newarkadvertiser.co.uk/news/after-days-of-not-knowing-news-comes-newarks-aiden-aslin-9243558/ |archive-date=18 April 2022 |access-date=2022-04-12 |work=Newark Advertiser}}</ref> He was sentenced to death on 9 June by authorities of the Russian-backed breakaway unrecognised puppet state, the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR),<ref name="FT">{{cite news | url=https://www.ft.com/content/db589e94-a602-11e4-9bd3-00144feab7de | title=Ukraine fighting points to Russia designs for puppet state | date=27 January 2015 | access-date=25 October 2015 | author=Jones, Sam | newspaper=Financial Times}}</ref><ref name="WaPo">{{cite news | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/russia-marches-on-uninhibited-in-eastern-ukraine/2015/02/18/d43a48d4-b78b-11e4-aa05-1ce812b3fdd2_story.html | title=Russia marches on uninhibited in eastern Ukraine | date=18 February 2015 | access-date=25 October 2015 | newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref> for "mercenary activities and committing actions aimed at seizing power and overthrowing the constitutional order of the DPR."<ref name=Nikkei>{{Cite news|date=2022-04-12|title=Death sentence for 3 foreign fighters given by Russian proxy court|work=Nikkei Asia|url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Ukraine-war/Death-sentence-for-3-foreign-fighters-given-by-Russian-proxy-court|access-date=2022-07-12|archive-date=15 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715065358/https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Ukraine-war/Death-sentence-for-3-foreign-fighters-given-by-Russian-proxy-court|url-status=live}}</ref> He was released in a prisoner exchange in September 2022.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-62988234 | title=Britons held by Russian forces in Ukraine released | work=BBC News | date=22 September 2022 }}</ref><ref name=Independent>{{Cite news|date=2022-04-12|title=Aiden Aslin: Captured Brit in Ukraine appeals against death sentence|work=The Independent|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/aiden-aslin-appeal-death-sentence-b2115416.html|access-date=2022-07-12|archive-date=12 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712045453/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/aiden-aslin-appeal-death-sentence-b2115416.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
Before that, in 2015, Aslin travelled to Rojava, also known as the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES). There, he served as a foreign volunteer for the Kurdish People's Defense Units (YPG), fighting against the Islamic State.<ref name="Barbarani" /><ref name=":2" /> Aslin was briefly detained upon his return to the United Kingdom.<ref name=":2" /> In 2018, he travelled to Ukraine and settled in Mykolaiv.<ref name="kyivpost" />
==Military service== ===Fighting ISIS in Rojava=== In 2015, Aslin travelled to Rojava to join the YPG.<ref name="Guardian">{{Cite news |last=Blake |first=Matt |date=2022-04-12 |title=Aiden Aslin: Captured Brit in Ukraine appeals against death sentence |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/sep/11/man-who-joined-kurdish-militia-to-fight-isis-in-syria-arrested-on-return-to-uk |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171218034700/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/sep/11/man-who-joined-kurdish-militia-to-fight-isis-in-syria-arrested-on-return-to-uk |archive-date=18 December 2017 |access-date=2022-07-12 |work=The Guardian}}</ref>
From 2015 to 2016 Aslin fought with the YPG International in Tel Abyad<ref name="Barbarani">{{Cite news|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/syria-anti-isis-westerners-fighting-kurds-disillusioned-ypgs-school-trip-guns-strategy-1509470|title=Syria: Anti-Isis Westerners fighting for Kurds disillusioned with YPG's 'school trip with guns' tactics|last=Barbarani|first=Sofia|date=2015-07-06|work=International Business Times UK|access-date=2017-10-04|language=en|archive-date=9 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609150540/https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/syria-anti-isis-westerners-fighting-kurds-disillusioned-ypgs-school-trip-guns-strategy-1509470|url-status=live}}</ref> and al-Hasakah.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/08/syria-ypg-launches-assault-hasaka-160822041843880.html|title=Syria: YPG launches assault to take all of Hasaka|website=www.aljazeera.com|access-date=2017-10-04|archive-date=14 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171214144827/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/08/syria-ypg-launches-assault-hasaka-160822041843880.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He also participated in the 2015 al-Hawl offensive against Daesh (ISIS).<ref name=HJS>{{Cite web |last= Orton |first= Kyle |title=The Forgotten Foreign Fighters: The PKK in Syria |year= 2017 |publisher=The Henry Jackson Society |location= London |url= http://henryjacksonsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/3053-PYD-Foreign-Fighter-Project-1.pdf |access-date= 3 January 2024 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170914081604/http://henryjacksonsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/3053-PYD-Foreign-Fighter-Project-1.pdf |archive-date= 14 September 2017 |url-status= live}}</ref> He returned to the United Kingdom on 3 February 2016<ref name=HJS/> and was arrested upon arrival.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://newarkadvertiser.co.uk/news/2017/08/03/freedom-fighter-says-he-is-living-in-exile|title=Freedom fighter says he is living in exile|date=2017-08-03|work=Newark Advertiser|access-date=2017-09-13|language=en-GB|archive-date=14 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914034915/https://newarkadvertiser.co.uk/news/2017/08/03/freedom-fighter-says-he-is-living-in-exile|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=http://aranews.net/2016/05/briton-joined-kurds-fight-isis-faces-terrorism-charges/|title=Briton who joined Kurds to fight ISIS faces terrorism charges - ARA News|date=2016-05-21|work=ARA News|access-date=2017-10-04|language=en-US|archive-date=5 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171005051841/http://aranews.net/2016/05/briton-joined-kurds-fight-isis-faces-terrorism-charges/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Aslin gained some media attention for protesting his treatment by Nottinghamshire Police<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://nottstv.com/protest-held-support-notts-man-facing-terrorism-investigation/|title=Protest held in support of Notts man facing terrorism investigation - Notts TV News {{!}} The heart of Nottingham news coverage for Notts TV|last=Johns|first=Ryan|date=2016-05-17|work=Notts TV News {{!}} The heart of Nottingham news coverage for Notts TV|access-date=2017-10-04|language=en-GB|archive-date=5 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171005053357/https://nottstv.com/protest-held-support-notts-man-facing-terrorism-investigation/|url-status=live}}</ref> in their investigation of his activities pursuant to the Terrorism Act "in the preparation to fight against Daesh" and possessing "articles for terrorist purposes in Iraq/Syria".<ref name="Blake"/> The YPG is not a proscribed terror group in the UK<ref name="Blake" /> and have received extensive support from the UK government, as a major ally of the US-led coalition force in Syria,<ref>{{cite web |date=18 March 2016 |title=Pentagon chief praises Kurdish fighters in Syria |url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/pentagon-chief-praises-kurdish-fighters-in-syria.aspx?pageID=238&nID=96609&NewsCatID=352 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160616220112/http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/pentagon-chief-praises-kurdish-fighters-in-syria.aspx?pageID=238&nID=96609&NewsCatID=352 |archive-date=16 June 2016 |access-date=13 June 2016 |work=Hurriyet Daily News |df=dmy-all}}</ref> but this did not protect Aslin from legal difficulties upon returning home. Charges were ultimately dropped and he returned to Rojava in 2016.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://thejacksonpress.org/?p=71856|title=What You Can't Say Anymore: 'I Fought Against ISIS'|date=2017-09-12|work=The Jackson Press|access-date=2017-09-13|language=en-US|archive-date=14 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914035605/http://thejacksonpress.org/?p=71856|url-status=live}}</ref> Aslin has been critical of the international community's lack of support for the YPG,<ref name="anfnews">{{Cite news|url=https://anfenglish.com/features/ypg-volunteer-from-the-uk-calls-for-support-for-the-kurdish-struggle-18996|title=YPG volunteer from the UK calls for support for the Kurdish struggle|work=ANF News|date=15 March 2017|access-date=2017-10-04|language=en|archive-date=5 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171005052307/https://anfenglish.com/features/ypg-volunteer-from-the-uk-calls-for-support-for-the-kurdish-struggle-18996|url-status=live}}</ref> of the Turkish occupation of parts of Rojava, and of the sale of British weapons to Turkey for attacks against the Kurds.<ref name="anfnews"/>
===Fighting Russia in Ukraine=== In 2018, Aslin travelled to Ukraine and enlisted with the Ukrainian 36th Naval Infantry Brigade.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/02/11/signed-british-soldier-returns-ukrainian-army-unit-prepare-full/|title='What we signed up for': British soldier returns to Ukrainian Army unit to prepare for Russian invasion|first=Roland|last=Oliphant|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=11 February 2022|via=www.telegraph.co.uk|access-date=12 February 2022|archive-date=10 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220610063348/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/02/11/signed-british-soldier-returns-ukrainian-army-unit-prepare-full/|url-status=live}}</ref> In February 2022 he was deployed to Mariupol.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/russia-ukraine-war/article/british-fighter-aiden-aslin-survives-raids-in-mariupol-87x8ctl3d|title=British fighter Aiden Aslin survives raids in Mariupol|access-date=2022-04-12|archive-date=7 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607122935/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/british-fighter-aiden-aslin-survives-raids-in-mariupol-87x8ctl3d|url-status=live}}</ref> On 12 April 2022 he surrendered to Russian forces who had been besieging the city since 24 February 2022.<ref name="wapo">{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/04/13/aiden-aslin-british-fight-ukraine-mariupol/|title=Surrendered Brit fighting with Ukraine appears to emerge in Russian broadcast|first=Annabelle|last=Timsit|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=14 April 2022|via=www.washingtonpost.com|access-date=12 July 2022|archive-date=5 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605073439/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/04/13/aiden-aslin-british-fight-ukraine-mariupol/|url-status=live}}</ref> He appeared to have sustained injuries while in captivity<ref>{{Cite news |last=Parker |first=Charlie |date=2022-04-14 |title=British soldier Aiden Aslin handcuffed and beaten up days after Russian capture |work=The Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/british-soldier-aiden-aslin-handcuffed-and-beaten-up-days-after-russian-capture-3krsd8wrs |url-access=subscription |access-date=2022-04-14 |issn=0140-0460 |archive-date=9 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609134435/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/british-soldier-aiden-aslin-handcuffed-and-beaten-up-days-after-russian-capture-3krsd8wrs |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Kilner |first=James |date=2022-04-15 |title=Captured Briton Aiden Aslin seen moments before surrender without head injury visible on Russian TV |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2022/04/15/captured-briton-aiden-aslin-seen-moments-surrender-without-injury/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=2022-04-15 |issn=0307-1235 |archive-date=8 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220608082633/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2022/04/15/captured-briton-aiden-aslin-seen-moments-surrender-without-injury/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and was interviewed on 18 April by British freelance journalist Graham Phillips.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-19 |title=Russia uses pro-Kremlin Briton to interview captured fighter Aiden Aslin in propaganda war |url=https://inews.co.uk/news/aiden-aslin-capture-video-british-journalist-banned-ukraine-kremlin-propaganda-1582306 |access-date=2022-04-26 |website=inews.co.uk |language=en |archive-date=20 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220520055355/https://inews.co.uk/news/aiden-aslin-capture-video-british-journalist-banned-ukraine-kremlin-propaganda-1582306 |url-status=live }}</ref> Geoffrey Robertson, a human rights barrister, called the interview a breach of the Geneva Conventions done for "propaganda purposes".<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Capurro |first1=Daniel |last2=Bowman |first2=Verity |date=2022-04-19 |title=Who is Graham Phillips, the ex-Whitehall civil servant now pushing Russian propaganda? |language=en-GB |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2022/04/19/graham-phillips-journalist-civil-servant-russian-propaganda/ |access-date=2022-04-26 |issn=0307-1235 |archive-date=6 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220606110318/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2022/04/19/graham-phillips-journalist-civil-servant-russian-propaganda/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Concerns about Aslin's treatment were subsequently raised by MP Robert Jenrick in the UK parliament.<ref>{{cite web |title=Aiden Aslin: Family's 'distress' at video of captured Briton |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-61159284 |publisher=BBC News |access-date=20 April 2022 |date=20 April 2022 |archive-date=20 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220420102355/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-61159284 |url-status=live }}</ref>
After a complaint from Aslin's family, through their MP Robert Jenrick, Phillips' interview with Aslin was removed from YouTube.<ref>{{cite web |title=Aiden Aslin: Captured Briton's YouTube interview removed |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-61159284 |publisher=BBC News |access-date=18 August 2022 |date=22 April 2022 }}</ref> Aslin has since given several interviews, and a YouTube channel in his name was started. The channel was later terminated in August 2022 'after a legal complaint'.{{citation needed|date=August 2022}}
==Trial in Russian-occupied Donetsk== On 30 April, the prosecutor-general for the illegal Russian proxy<ref>{{cite news |title= Ukraine war: Britons Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner sentenced to death |work= BBC News |date= 9 June 2022 |url= https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-61745556}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1= Miklasová |first1= Júlia |title= Russia's Recognition of the DPR and LPR as Illegal Acts under International Law |year= 2022 |journal= Völkerrechtsblog |doi= 10.17176/20220224-120943-0 |url= https://voelkerrechtsblog.org/russias-recognition-of-the-dpr-and-lpr-as-illegal-acts-under-international-law/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Thomas |first=Tobi |date=4 July 2022 |title=Briton captured in Ukraine by Russians appeals against death sentence |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jul/04/aiden-aslin-captured-in-ukraine-by-russians-appeals-against-death-sentence |website=The Guardian}}</ref> DPR falsely<ref>{{cite news |title= Aiden Aslin: Ukraine Briton told execution will go ahead |work= BBC News |date= 22 June 2022 |url= https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-61900291}}</ref><ref name=Lawfare>{{cite web |last= Traldi |first= Arthur |title= Soldiers, Not Soldiers of Fortune |date=19 July 2022 |work= Lawfare |url= https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/soldiers-not-soldiers-fortune |access-date= 19 July 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230927111141/https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/soldiers-not-soldiers-fortune |archive-date= 27 September 2023 |url-status= live}}</ref> designated Aslin and two others as mercenaries (Article 47 of the Additional Protocol I of the Geneva Convention and the United Nations Mercenary Convention),<ref name=Lawfare/> indicated they could face the death penalty.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lloyd Parry |first=Richard |date=2022-05-03 |title=British fighters and aid worker captured in Ukraine could face death penalty |work=The Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/russia-ukraine-war/article/british-fighters-and-aid-worker-captured-in-ukraine-could-face-death-penalty-f59jzgbqn |url-access=subscription |access-date=2022-05-02 |issn=0140-0460 |archive-date=9 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609134313/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/british-fighters-and-aid-worker-captured-in-ukraine-could-face-death-penalty-f59jzgbqn |url-status=live }}</ref> DPR accused Aslin and two others of acting as mercenaries, beginning an investigation of "the commission of crimes by a group of persons (part 2 of article 34 of the Criminal Code of the DPR), on the forcible seizure of power or the forcible retention of power (Article 323 of the Criminal Code of the DPR) and on mercenarism (Article 440 Criminal Code of the DPR)",<ref name="TNG">{{cite news |url=https://thenewsglory.com/prosecutor-generals-office-of-the-dpr-mercenaries-from-britain-and-morocco-may-face-the-death-penalty/ |title=Prosecutor General's Office of the DPR: mercenaries from Britain and Morocco may face the death penalty |website=TNG News |date=27 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220713134340/https://thenewsglory.com/prosecutor-generals-office-of-the-dpr-mercenaries-from-britain-and-morocco-may-face-the-death-penalty/|archive-date=13 July 2022}}</ref> indicating they could face the death penalty if convicted.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lloyd Parry |first=Richard |date=2022-05-03 |title=British fighters and aid worker captured in Ukraine could face death penalty |work=The Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/russia-ukraine-war/article/british-fighters-and-aid-worker-captured-in-ukraine-could-face-death-penalty-f59jzgbqn |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=2022-05-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609134313/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/british-fighters-and-aid-worker-captured-in-ukraine-could-face-death-penalty-f59jzgbqn |archive-date=9 June 2022 |issn=0140-0460}}</ref> On 5 May, Aslin gave a digitally recorded statement to prosecutors that he fully understood what he was accused of, that he agreed with it fully "up to the part about murdering civilians" (which he denied), that he fought on the territory of the DPR, that he fought against the soldiers of the DPR in peaceful settlements, and that he used arms and weapons systems alongside other foreign nationals.<ref name=theatlasnews-20220602>{{cite news |url=https://theatlasnews.co/conflict/2022/06/02/cossack-gundi-and-other-foreign-volunteers-told-they-may-face-death-penalty-by-separatist-prosecutors/ |title=Cossack Gundi and Other Foreign Volunteers Told They May Face Death Penalty by Separatist Prosecutors |website=Atlas News |date=2 June 2022 |access-date=13 July 2022 |archive-date=24 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220724094146/https://theatlasnews.co/conflict/2022/06/02/cossack-gundi-and-other-foreign-volunteers-told-they-may-face-death-penalty-by-separatist-prosecutors/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Lawyers assigned to the three men during interrogations by the Russian military later made comments to the media expressing their support for the accession of Odesa, Kherson and Mykolaiv into the Russian Federation, support for the war against Ukraine, and support for the return of the death penalty to Russia.<ref>{{Cite web |title="Жителей Москвы пора гнать копать окопы" Нескольких иностранцев приговорили в ДНР к смертной казни. Им назначили адвокатов — и вот что эти адвокаты говорят |url=https://meduza.io/paragraph/2022/06/30/zhiteley-moskvy-pora-gnat-kopat-okopy |access-date=2022-06-30 |website=Meduza |language=ru |archive-date=30 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630205137/https://meduza.io/paragraph/2022/06/30/zhiteley-moskvy-pora-gnat-kopat-okopy |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Мы не придаток следствия">{{Cite web |title="Мы не придаток следствия" |url=https://advstreet.ru/interview/my-ne-pridatok-sledstviya/ |access-date=2022-06-30 |website=«Адвокатская улица» |archive-date=30 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630161849/https://advstreet.ru/interview/my-ne-pridatok-sledstviya/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On 27 May, the prosecutor's office completed its investigation<ref name=TNG/> and announced charges on 6 June,<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-06-22 |title=Family of Briton sentenced to death in DPR expects London to discuss his fate with Moscow |work=TASS |url=https://tass.com/society/1470057/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=2022-04-19 |issn=0307-1235 |archive-date=12 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712223616/https://tass.com/society/1470057 |url-status=live }}</ref> stating the following:
{{Blockquote |text="In the period from approximately December 2018 to April 2022 Shaun Pinner, Aiden John Mark Aslin, and Saadun Brahim acting deliberately by a group of persons by prior agreement as part of the armed forces of Ukraine, being on the territory of Donetsk People's Republic [DPR] in a time of war, being armed with firearms, took part in the preparation and military actions against the Armed Forces of the Donetsk People's Republic for the purpose of forcibly seizing and forcibly retaining power on the territory of DPR.” |author=''Prosecutor General's Office of the DPR (6 Jun 2022)'' }}
They were likewise accused of violating the "constitution" of the DPR by committing "terrorist acts, diversions, explosions, shelling from artillery, mortar [and] small arms" [against] "settlements, peaceful citizens, military of the Armed Forces of DPR," [and] "committing murders of the citizens of DPR, threatening of the civilians, who carried out their will during the referendum on May 11, 2014, which resulted in the forming of the state Donetsk People Republic."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ball |first=Tom |title=Aiden Aslin: Briton captured in ukraine faces death penalty |newspaper=The Times |language=en |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/aiden-aslin-briton-captured-in-ukraine-faces-death-penalty-r6jqbt65w |access-date=2022-06-07 |issn=0140-0460 |archive-date=8 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220608224412/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/aiden-aslin-briton-captured-in-ukraine-faces-death-penalty-r6jqbt65w |url-status=live}}</ref>
While in captivity Aslin was interrogated on camera by Graham Phillips, a British national working for Russian propaganda. Aslin described his behavior as "psychotic" when filming the interview.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smart |first=Jason Jay |title=Freed British POW with Ukrainian State Award Now Blocked from Schengen Zone |url=https://www.kyivpost.com/post/16201 |access-date=2023-04-24 |website=Get the Latest Ukraine News Today - KyivPost |language=en}}</ref>
On 7 June Aslin, Pinner and Brahim were tried by the Supreme Court of the Donetsk People's Republic<ref>{{Cite news|date=2022-06-09|title=Three foreigners sentenced to death in 'DPR'|newspaper=Novaya Gazetta|language=en|url=https://novayagazeta.eu/articles/2022/06/09/three-foreigners-sentenced-to-death-in-dpr-news|access-date=2022-07-12|archive-date=12 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712223619/https://novayagazeta.eu/articles/2022/06/09/three-foreigners-sentenced-to-death-in-dpr-news|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Мы не придаток следствия"/> and Judge Aleksandr Nikulin, Aslin responded "Tak tochno [так точно]"{{efn|A military response meaning ''affirmative''.}} when asked if he understood the information in his indictment<ref>{{Cite news |last=Roth |first=Andrew |date=2022-06-07 |title=Pro-Russia officials open trial against Britons captured fighting in Ukraine |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jun/07/pro-russia-officials-open-trial-against-britons-captured-fighting-in-ukraine?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714181406/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jun/07/pro-russia-officials-open-trial-against-britons-captured-fighting-in-ukraine?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other |archive-date=14 July 2022 |access-date=2022-07-13 |newspaper=The Guardian |language=en}}</ref> and stated that he had no objections to proceeding with the trial.<ref>{{YouTube|user=The Telegraoh|title=Captured British fighter Aiden Aslin appears in Donetsk pro-Russian court in Ukraine}}</ref> It is unclear if he had legal assistance during the proceedings. On 9 June the Court found the trio guilty on all charges,<ref name="auto"/> and stated that "[o]n the basis of the totality of crimes, Aslin Aiden, Pinner Sean and Saadun Brahim are finally given the death penalty as punishment."<ref>{{Cite news|date=2022-06-09|title=Three foreigners sentenced to death in 'DPR'|newspaper=Novaya Gazetta|language=en|url=https://oopstop.com/dpr-court-sentenced-foreign-mercenaries-pinner-aslin-and-brahim-to-death/|access-date=2022-07-12|archive-date=12 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712223618/https://oopstop.com/dpr-court-sentenced-foreign-mercenaries-pinner-aslin-and-brahim-to-death/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{Cite web |last=Roth |first=Andrew |last2=Sinmaz |first2=Emine |date=9 June 2022 |title=Britons sentenced to death after 'show trial' in Russian-occupied Ukraine |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jun/09/britons-sentenced-to-death-russian-occupied-ukraine-aiden-aslin-shaun-pinner |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609152106/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jun/09/britons-sentenced-to-death-russian-occupied-ukraine-aiden-aslin-shaun-pinner |archive-date=9 June 2022 |access-date=9 June 2022 |website=the Guardian}}</ref> On 5 July, Aslin's defence team filed an appeal, requesting the dismissal of the verdict due to lack of ''corpus delicti''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/russia-ukraine-war-news-07-05-22#h_31fa3bbf72a0ef99deab7b73171f5cb2 |title=Captured British fighter appeals against death sentence by DPR court, Russian state media reports |date=5 July 2022 |access-date=5 July 2022 |archive-date=5 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705191244/https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/russia-ukraine-war-news-07-05-22/h_31fa3bbf72a0ef99deab7b73171f5cb2 |url-status=live}}</ref>
On 21 September, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia reported that Russia released ten foreign prisoners of war in a prisoner exchange after mediation by Mohammed bin Salman, Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Russia releases 10 foreigners captured in Ukraine, after Saudi mediation |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-releases-10-foreigners-captured-ukraine-after-saudi-mediation-riyadh-2022-09-21/ |date=2022-09-21 |access-date=2022-09-21 |work=Reuters |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220921165522/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-releases-10-foreigners-captured-ukraine-after-saudi-mediation-riyadh-2022-09-21/ |archive-date=2022-09-21 |url-status=live}}</ref> According to his MP Robert Jenrick, Aiden Aslin was among the prisoners released.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Briton Aiden Aslin among those released |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-62970683?pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:bb900c66-5abe-407d-bb6b-fdb36668c820 |date=2022-09-21 |access-date=2022-09-21 |work=BBC News}}</ref><ref name="Independent"/>
Following his release, Aslin claimed in an interview that he was punched on the nose when his captors discovered that he was British and that he was tortured during his interrogation and his time in captivity.<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 September 2022 |title=Prisoner released by Russia 'treated worse than a dog' |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-63022151 |access-date=27 September 2022}}</ref>
===Reaction=== British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss called the verdict "a sham judgment with absolutely no legitimacy" and MP Robert Jenrick called the trial a "disgusting Soviet-era show trial".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Vasilyeva |first=Nataliya |date=2022-06-09 |title=British fighters Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner sentenced to death by Russian-backed court |language=en-GB |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2022/06/09/british-fighters-aiden-aslin-shaun-pinner-sentenced-death-russian/ |access-date=2022-06-09 |issn=0307-1235 |archive-date=9 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609154006/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2022/06/09/british-fighters-aiden-aslin-shaun-pinner-sentenced-death-russian/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A spokesperson for Ukraine's foreign ministry said "Such public trials place the interests of propaganda above law and morality, and undermine the exchange mechanisms of war prisoners."<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-06-09 |title=Ukraine war: Britons Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner sentenced to death |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-61745556 |access-date=2022-06-09 |archive-date=9 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609185658/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-61745556 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said that "[s]uch trials against prisoners of war amount to a war crime ... According to the chief command of Ukraine, all the men were part of the Ukrainian armed forces and if that is the case, they should not be considered as mercenaries ... Since 2015, we have observed that the so-called judiciary within these self-contained republics have not complied with essential fair trial guarantees, such as public hearings, independence, impartiality of the courts and the right not to be compelled to testify."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-06-10 |title=Death sentence for Ukraine foreign fighters is a war crime: UN rights office |url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/06/1120102 |access-date=2022-06-10 |website=UN News |language=en |archive-date=10 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220610225709/https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/06/1120102 |url-status=live }}</ref>
On 12 June, Denis Pushilin, head of the DPR, appeared to rule out an executive pardon for the defendants, as "[t]hey came to Ukraine to kill civilians for money ... I don't see any conditions for any mitigation or modification of the sentence."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kilner |first=James |date=2022-06-12 |title=No mercy for death row British fighters Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner, says rebel leader |language=en-GB |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2022/06/12/no-mercy-should-shown-two-british-fighters-sentenced-death-says/ |access-date=2022-06-12 |issn=0307-1235 |archive-date=12 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220612214313/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2022/06/12/no-mercy-should-shown-two-british-fighters-sentenced-death-says/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On 23 June, the BBC reported that Aslin had informed his family via telephone that he had been told by DPR officials that "time is running out" and that no attempts have been made by British government officials to negotiate on his behalf.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-06-22 |title=Aiden Aslin: Ukraine Briton told execution will go ahead |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-61900291 |access-date=2022-06-24 |archive-date=24 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220624125436/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-61900291 |url-status=live }}</ref>
In November 2022, when trying to return to Ukraine, Aslin discovered a Schengen entry ban has been placed on his name by the German government, which resulted in the Polish border force denying him entry into the EU when arriving on a flight to Poland. Aslin believes this ban was placed in order to prevent re-use of his original passport captured by Russian authorities for a covert entry into EU.<ref name="kyivpost" />
==Personal life== Aslin was born in 1994.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-19 |title=Жили в Украине, служили в ВСУ. Что известно о взятых в плен британских добровольцах |url=https://focus.ua/voennye-novosti/512701-zhili-v-ukraine-sluzhili-v-vsu-chto-izvestno-o-vzyatyh-v-plen-britanskih-dobrovolcah |access-date=2022-06-10 |website=ФОКУС |language=ru |archive-date=15 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220515234620/https://focus.ua/voennye-novosti/512701-zhili-v-ukraine-sluzhili-v-vsu-chto-izvestno-o-vzyatyh-v-plen-britanskih-dobrovolcah |url-status=live }}</ref> He lived in Newark, Nottinghamshire<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.nottinghampost.com/news/local-news/nottinghamshire-man-who-claimed-want-461378|title=Man who claimed to want to fight ISIS arrested over terrorism|last=Wylie|first=Catherine|date=2017-09-12|work=nottinghampost|access-date=2017-09-13|archive-date=14 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914034726/http://www.nottinghampost.com/news/local-news/nottinghamshire-man-who-claimed-want-461378|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |author=Zagnat |first=Olimpia |date=2022-04-20 |title=Aiden Aslin's mum just wants her 'hero' son back home after he was captured by Russians |url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/nottingham-news/aiden-aslins-mum-just-wants-6976287 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220422050747/https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/nottingham-news/aiden-aslins-mum-just-wants-6976287 |archive-date=22 April 2022 |access-date=22 April 2022 |work=nottinghampost}}</ref> and worked as a carer.<ref name="Blake">{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/sep/11/man-who-joined-kurdish-militia-to-fight-isis-in-syria-arrested-on-return-to-uk|title=Man who joined Kurdish militia to fight Isis in Syria arrested in UK|last=Blake|first=Matt|date=2017-09-11|work=The Guardian|access-date=2017-09-13|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=18 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171218034700/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/sep/11/man-who-joined-kurdish-militia-to-fight-isis-in-syria-arrested-on-return-to-uk|url-status=live}}</ref>
Aslin is reported to have either a fiancée<ref name="newarkadvertiser"/> or a wife<ref name="cornwall">{{Cite news|title=British 'mercs' captured while fighting for Ukraine threatened with the death penalty|work=Cornwall Live|url=https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/uk-world-news/british-mercs-captured-fighting-ukraine-7026567/|access-date=2022-07-12}}{{Dead link|date=March 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> of Ukrainian descent and to have settled in the Mykolaiv area prior to the conflict.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hennessy |first=Peter |date=2022-04-20 |title=Family 'distressed' by Russian video of captured prisoner |url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/local-news/family-prisoner-war-newark-say-6973248 |access-date=2022-06-12 |website=NottinghamshireLive |language=en |archive-date=13 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220513203044/https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/local-news/family-prisoner-war-newark-say-6973248 |url-status=live }}</ref> He became a Ukrainian citizen in July 2025.<ref>{{cite tweet|last=Aslin|first=Aiden|user=cossackgundi|number=1950542893225030129|title=As of this month, I’m officially a Ukrainian citizen. After eight years of living here and over five years of military service, including rejoining the military last year, I’ve finally earned my place on paper.|date=30 July 2025|access-date=13 August 2025}}</ref>
Aslin goes by the online username "Cossack Gundi" on his public social media accounts.<ref name="reaperfeed.com">{{cite web | url=https://reaperfeed.com/interview-british-fighter-donbass-cossack-gundi/ | title=An Interview with a British Fighter in Donbass - Cossack Gundi | date=2 March 2021 | access-date=1 May 2022 | archive-date=14 April 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220414165214/https://reaperfeed.com/interview-british-fighter-donbass-cossack-gundi/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/british-fighter-captured-by-russians-in-mariupol-mrgbph35h | title=Briton Aiden Aslin 'surrenders' in Mariupol as he runs out of food | last1=Parker | first1=George Grylls | access-date=13 April 2022 | archive-date=13 April 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413090106/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/british-fighter-captured-by-russians-in-mariupol-mrgbph35h | url-status=live }}</ref>
==See also== <!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order by LAST NAME ♦♦♦---> * Russian information war against Ukraine * Saadun Brahim * Shaun Pinner * Vjekoslav Prebeg * Aleksandr Nikulin, judge.
==Notes== {{notelist}}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{Bluesky|cossackgundi.bsky.social}}
{{Mariupol in the Russo-Ukrainian War}} {{Authority control}}
<!-- holds dual citizenship per <nowiki><ref name="newarkadvertiser"></nowiki> -->
{{DEFAULTSORT:Aslin, Aiden}} Category:1994 births Category:Living people Category:People's Defense Units Category:Military personnel from Nottinghamshire Category:British activists Category:Ukrainian activists Category:Ukrainian military personnel of the Russian invasion of Ukraine Category:People of the Syrian civil war Category:Prisoners of war held by Russia Category:Siege of Mariupol Category:People from Newark-on-Trent Category:British people imprisoned abroad Category:British prisoners sentenced to death Category:Ukrainian prisoners sentenced to death