Photo: Donetsk News Agency
In the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), hearings have begun on the case of five mercenaries, three of whom may face the death penalty. These are citizens of Great Britain, Sweden and Croatia.
According to the Donetsk News Agency, Dylan Healy, John Harding, Vekoslav Prebeg, Mathias Gustavsson and Andrew Hill were in the dock.
As it turned out, the court charged five criminals. Thus, Mathias Gustavsson, Vekoslav Prebeg, as well as Briton John Harding were charged with committing crimes under the article on forcible seizure of power and forcible retention of power. They were also accused under the article on the participation of a mercenary in an armed conflict.
As for the Briton Hill, he was charged under the article on the participation of a mercenary in an armed conflict. Another British citizen, Dylan Healy, was accused of aiding and abetting the recruitment of mercenaries for use in armed conflict.
At the same time, the defendants did not admit guilt. So, Gustavsson and Prebeg noted that they did not participate in the fighting. Healy and Hill claim to be volunteers. And Harting refused to testify.
According to the latest data, the Supreme Court of the DPR will continue the hearing on the case of mercenaries in October 2022. It is noted that the court considers it necessary to establish the dates of their actual surrender. And the competent authorities of the republic were instructed to check the words of Mathias Gustavsson that illegal methods of influence were used against him. At the same time, the Swede himself refused this.
Most of the defendants were captured at the Azovstal plant in Mariupol. At the same time, Gustavsson, Prebeg and Harding face the death penalty.