The SSU investigators have collected a sufficient evidence base and notified the judge of the so-called ‘appeals chamber of the DNR Supreme Court’ of suspicion. It was he who, contrary to international law, sentenced to death two citizens of the UK and one citizen of the Kingdom of Morocco, who officially defended Ukraine in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

These foreigners voluntarily joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine and were heroically deterring russia’s aggression in Donetsk region, where they were captured in April 2022.

With its ‘verdict’, the pseudo-court of the terrorist organization DNR violated the norms of international law, in particular, the requirements of the Additional Protocol to the Geneva Conventions on protection of victims of international armed conflicts.

The pseudo-court violated the immunity of combatants (the right of persons who are members of the armed forces of a party to the conflict to take direct part in hostilities) and deprived them of their right to an impartial and normal trial.

Therefore, the SSU investigators notified the pseudo-judge of suspicion, in absentia, of crimes under Article 28.2 and Article 438.1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (violation of laws and customs of war, by a group of persons).

The pre-trial investigation is underway under the procedural supervision of Donetsk Region Prosecutor’s Office.