The wife of a British soldier who has been sentenced to death after his capture by Russian forces has called her husband a warrior.
Shaun Pinner, from Watford and Buckinghamshire, was sentenced to death by pro-Moscow rebels after he was found “guilty “of taking action towards violent seizure of power at a court in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic.
Aiden Aslin, a fellow soldier from Nottinghamshire, and Moroccan national Saaudun Brahim faced the same sentencing, the Russian-owned RIA Novosti reported.
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Ukrainian native Larysa Pinner has now issued a statement in a Facebook post praying for her husband.
She wrote: "We all understand that Russian propaganda uses this case to the fullest, and this circus will go on for a long time."
She added that Ukrainian and British officials were “doing everything they can to influence this lawlessness” and “resolve this situation”.
Mrs Pinner wrote: "The International Committee of the Red Cross is aware, they will even more actively demand access to the guys (yet Russia has not given permission, which is expected).
"I still pray that our warriors can endure all of this!"
The Foreign Office has also released a statement on behalf of the family, which reads: “Firstly, our whole family is devastated and saddened at the outcome of the illegal show trial by the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic.
“As a Ukrainian resident for over four years and contracted serving marine in the 36th Brigade, of which he is very proud, Shaun should be accorded all the rights of a prisoner of war according to the Geneva Convention and including full independent legal representation.
“We sincerely hope that all parties will co-operate urgently to ensure the safe release or exchange of Shaun.
"Our family including his son and Ukrainian wife love and miss him so much and our hearts go out to all the families involved in this awful situation.
“We respectfully ask for privacy from the media at this difficult time.”
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