MICHAEL WALSH REPORT:  Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that captured foreign mercenaries in the country’s Kursk region will not be treated as prisoners of war.

Article 47 of the Protocol I Additional to the Geneva Conventions denies mercenaries combatant or POW status.

Thus, mercenaries cannot be guaranteed humane and fair treatment by their captors; are not protected from torture or inhumane treatment; can and will be prosecuted for taking part in hostilities, since they are not regarded as lawful combatants

They are not entitled to adequate food, shelter, clothing and access to medical care while in captivity. Are not guaranteed contact and communication with the outside world and are not protected from physical or mental coercion.

Instead, mercenaries taken prisoner by Russian forces can look forward to the following:

Under Russian law, a mercenary caught participating in an armed conflict or in military activities faces a prison term of up to 15 years (article 359 of the Russian Criminal Code).

A mercenary’s jail sentence could be lengthened even further, depending on the nature of the crimes he or she committed.

Putin also mentioned that Ukrainian soldiers taken prisoners in the Kursk region will be regarded as terrorists. Under article 205 of the Criminal Code, perpetrating a terrorist act is punishable by lengthy jail sentences, from 12-20 years to life.

Russia jails British mercenary for 19 years. James Scott Rhys Anderson has been found guilty of terrorism against civilians in Kursk Region, officials have said

A Russian court has sentenced a British mercenary to 19 years in prison for fighting for Ukraine and committing a terrorist act in Kursk Region.

In a statement on Wednesday, Russia’s Investigative Committee said that British citizen James Scott Rhys Anderson, 22, took direct part in the armed conflict on the territory of the Russian Federation for material compensation.

Anderson invaded Russia’s territory together with Ukrainian forces last November and committed crimes against the civilian population in Kursk Region, the committee said. Officials have not provided any further details on the specifics of the charges.

Anderson is expected to serve his first five years in prison and the remainder in a maximum-security penal colony.

He previously claimed that Ukrainian commanders had forced him to enter Russia, adding that they had taken away his identification papers and cell phone.

He also stated that he had served in the UK military as a signals operator between 2019 and 2023 before deciding to join Kiev’s foreign legion. According to Anderson, once he arrived in the country, he was mainly involved in training local military personnel.

The UK Foreign Office has vowed to provide all the necessary support to Anderson but has not commented on the specifics of the charges or the trial proceedings.

Russian authorities have consistently prosecuted foreign mercenaries fighting for Ukraine, warning that any troops supporting Kiev would be considered legitimate targets.’

In January, a Russian court sentenced retired US Army Ranger Patrick Creed to 13 years in prison for serving with Ukraine’s armed forces between 2022 and 2023. TELL US WHAT YOU THINK

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