LONDON, (Reuters) – The leader of Russia-backed separatist Donetsk in Ukraine stated Sunday that there is no reason not to pardon the two British citizens who were executed last week for their actions while fighting for Ukraine.

On Thursday, a court found Aiden Aslin (and Shaun Pinner) guilty of “mercenary actions” in Donetsk People’s Republic.

Britain believes that Aslin Pinner and Aslin were regular soldiers, and should therefore be exempted under the Geneva Conventions of prosecution for participating in hostilities. Pro-Russian separatists in Donetsk claim they have committed serious crimes. They still have one month to appeal.

Russian news agencies quoted Denis Pushilin as saying, “I don’t believe any grounds, prerequisites to me coming out with such an decision on a pardon.”

Donetsk is a separatist Russian-backed entity in Donbas, eastern Ukraine. Russia asserts that it wants to expel Kyiv completely from its jurisdiction.

Vladimir Putin recognized them as independent countries three days prior to the launch of its invasion against Ukraine, February 24, which was condemned by Ukraine as well as the West.

Aslin’s family stated that Pinner and he “aren’t, and never have been, mercenaries”.

The family stated that they were in Ukraine at the time of conflict and should have been treated as prisoners of war.