ECHR orders Russia to prevent execution of Moroccan who fought for Ukraine

PARIS (AA) – The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) issued an urgent order Thursday to the Russian government to prevent the death penalty from being carried out against a foreigner who was fighting for Ukraine.

The court issued a ruling under Rule 39 of the Rules of Court in the case of Moroccan national Brahim Saadoun, saying the Russian government “should ensure that the death penalty imposed on the applicant was not carried out” and “ensure appropriate conditions of his detention and provide him with any necessary medical assistance and medication.”

Saadoun, 21, a former student at Kyiv Polytechnic, volunteered to join the Armed Forces of Ukraine in November 2021 and was deployed to the 36th Detached Marine Brigade in the city of Mariupol in the Donetsk region, which is currently under siege by Russian forces.

On April 13, Saadoun’s brigade surrendered to Russian forces. He and two British nationals — Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner — were sentenced to death by a DPR court on June 9 on charges of forcible seizure of power, participation in an armed conflict as a mercenary and promotion of training in terrorist activities.

A representative on behalf of Saadoun had approached the court on June 14 under Rule 39 to ensure his rights. The court has also asked the Ukrainian government to respect his human rights.

This is the third instance this week that the European judges have invoked Rule 39 to prevent member states from carrying out orders against applicants. The court granted interim measures in three cases involving refugees in the UK who were due to be deported to Rwanda.