Protest calls for release of British prisoners held by Russia
They were sentenced to death in a proxy court
Aiden Aslin (left), Shaun Pinner (middle) and Saadun Brahim (right) will face the death penalty after being sentenced in an internationally unrecognised court in the Donetsk People's Republic. | Photo: Telegram
The family of a captured British man who was sentenced to death by pro-Russian rebels in an internationally unrecognised court, due to fighting in the Ukrainian resistance effort, will take part in a protest this weekend calling for his release.
Aiden Aslin, 28, has been held captive by Russian-affiliated troops since April this year, after he was part of a surrendering group of Ukrainian soldiers defending the now besieged port city of Mariupol in the Eastern European nation.
A controversial court ruling, which many suggest is a breach of international law, sentenced Aslin and two other men, fellow Brit Shaun Pinner and Moroccan male Saadun Brahim, to death earlier in June – and a protest has been planned to try and enable a safe passage home for the trio.
The protest will be held at Nottingham’s Old Market Square on Sunday, June 26, starting at 10.30am – organised by the Notts Ukraine Solidarity Campaign.
Members of Aiden Aslin’s family will join protestors demanding his safe release from the clutches of the Russian forces in the unrecognised Donetsk People’s Republic state.
Aiden Aslin appearing on Russian state TV in April. | Photo: Twitter
Animosity towards the incident started back in April, when 28-year-old former care worker Aslin, from Newark, appeared on Russian state television along with Shaun Pinner, 48, from Watford.
The pair had been captured by Russian soldiers as they fought alongside the Ukrainian military in a resistance effort in the port city of Mariupol – but were forced to surrender.
Both men called for a prisoner exchange, but have continued to be held in detention, with Aslin even being the subject of an “interview” by freelance British documentary maker Graham Phillips – a man with longstanding Russian ties who has been accused of being a Kremlin mouthpiece.
Aiden Aslin was interviewed by a notorious pro-Russian conspiracy journalist, while in detention for fighting as a Ukrainian marine. | Photo: YouTube
The pair then appeared in a proxy court in the Donetsk People’s Republic, alongside Moroccan national Saadun Brahim, facing war crimes brought to them by pro-Russian rebels.
No witness evidence was allowed at the trial, and all three men were sentenced to death in a verdict that caused uproar in the United Kingdom and beyond.
The court ruling, which has not been recognised by international law, has been widely considered as a breach of the Geneva Convention regarding treatment of prisoners of war – though Russia continue to allege that the men are mercenaries.
Aiden Aslin when he was in Syria. | Photo: Facebook
It has attracted the attention of Aslin’s local MP Robert Jenrick, who mentioned the prisoners in the House of Commons recently, as well as Foreign Secretary Liz Truss – who said the government will do “everything we can” to support his family.
The next step in calling for the men’s release has been to organise a protest near to Aiden’s hometown of Newark, with many expected to attend the rally in Nottingham on Sunday.
Organisers of the upcoming protest say: “We are campaigning for this hideous threat made against them to be lifted.
“We demand their immediate release, the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine and an end to the crimes committed by Putin’s forces on the Ukrainian people and its brave fighters now held as POWs.”
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We are appealing for help to identify the men in the photograph following a report of theft from Winthorpe, Skegness.
Two males with dark hair and beards allegedly entered the second-hand shop in the Seathrone Chapel Community Hall after 3:30pm on Saturday 18 June.
It’s believed one of the males distracted the staff member while the other entered a staff only area and stole a mobile phone.
We would like to speak to the men in the photograph in connection with the incident.
If you can help identify them or have any other information that can assist in our enquiries, please get in touch.
By calling 101 quoting incident 314 of 18 June.
By emailing [email protected] quoting incident 314 of 18 June in the subject line.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can report via the independent charity CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.
A restaurant in uphill Lincoln is opening a shisha lounge at the premises, the first of its kind in the city.
Marrakesh Restaurant on Lincoln’s Bailgate opened in October 2020, serving Mediterranean and Moroccan food such as tagine and mixed grills for customers to enjoy.
Since then, owner Afi Eliddri has been seeking to expand his business into a market not currently explored by other businesses in Lincoln – in the form of shisha bars.
Hookah pipes have been bought for customers to enjoy the first shisha lounge in Lincoln. | Photo: Ellis Karran for The Lincolnite
Marrakesh will be opening a shisha lounge inside the restaurant, offering something completely unique to the city as nowhere else in Lincoln boasts access to shisha.
The shisha lounge will officially open on Friday, July 1 from midday, remaining available until 11pm seven days a week.
Marrakesh can be found on the Bailgate in Lincoln. | Photo: Ellis Karran for The Lincolnite
Shisha is a molasses-based tobacco product that is heated in a hookah water pipe, which you inhale through and vaporise smoke with.
It is an emerging trend that has expanded exponentially in the UK in recent years, having originally dated back to medieval India.
The restaurant serves traditional Moroccan cuisine. | Photo: Ellis Karran for The Lincolnite
Afi told The Lincolnite: “As well as the really nice food, great service and good atmosphere, we introduced the shisha lounge for a more diverse age range in our customers.
“It will definitely cater for a younger audience and we’re excited to get started with it.”
Open seven days a week between 12pm and 11pm. | Photo: Ellis Karran for The Lincolnite
The hookah is placed outdoors in the garden, and Marrakesh owners say it will be a nice addition alongside the Moroccan food and Arabic-style bar, with food available to eat indoors and outdoors.
Marrakesh will be open from 12pm to 11pm, with times possibly varying on weekends, and you can order food or book a table from the restaurant’s website.
Multiple hookah pipes are on-site, meaning more people can enjoy the experience. | Photo: Ellis Karran for The Lincolnite
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