Published On: Fri, Nov 29th, 2024
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Russia parades British POW on state TV – as he faces 30 years in ‘hellhole’ jail | UK | News


British POW James Scott Rhys Anderson, 22, captured fighting for Ukraine by Russian forces in Kursk (Image: Ria; e2w news)

Russia has paraded a British prisoner of war on Vladimir Putin’s state-controlled media as the inmate faced the prospect of up to 30 years in a “hellhole” penal colony.

James Scott Rhys Anderson, 22, was seen bent double alongside an armed guard as he was hauled from his detention cell to face interrogation by the dictator’s propagandists.

In a clearly stage-managed appearance, the former British Army soldier was made to stand with an anonymous Black Sea marines commander who allegedly captured him.

Mr Anderson, from Banbury, Oxfordshire, was held by Russian forces last weekend and is charged with fighting for Ukraine.
His family back home have expressed fears he could be tortured.
He is also accused of terrorism, being a mercenary, invading Russia, and committing criminal acts against the civilian population.

 

If found guilty, he could spend 30 years in a Siberian penal colony.

“I think my future is I spend a lot of time here … in Russia,” Mr Anderson told Russian television.

“I’m not sure when I’ll ever go home. It could be, if I’m lucky, maybe my government would help.

“But truthfully, it’s going to be … 20 to 30 years I’m going to spend in Russia because I decided it was a good idea to help Ukraine.”
He told how he ignored his own family when they told him not to return to Ukraine.

“All the time when I’m in my cell, I’m always thinking about how my mum and dad said: ‘Don’t go back, don’t go back,’” he told state-funded Readovka propaganda outlet.

“I wish, I wish I never did.”

He said of his family: “They knew that I was in Ukraine. I don’t know if they know where I am now.”
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British 'mercenary' James Scott Rhys Anderson,

James Scott Rhys Anderson was captured by Russian forces (Image: social media; E2W news)

British POW James Scott Rhys Anderson, 22,

James Scott Rhys Anderson being hauled from his detention cell by an armed guard (Image: Readovka; e2w news)

He said that he was paid $400 US dollars a month [£315] as a mercenary fighting for Ukraine, with $60 a day [£47] when he went on missions.
Mr Anderson also told state news agency RIA Novosti it was wrong for Ukraine, backed by the West, to invade Russia’s Kursk region, where he surrendered.

“We shouldn’t be here – the Russians really don’t want us here,” he said.

“They have a lot more weapons, a lot more manpower. They will do everything to get you out.

“If you’re lucky, you’re captured, but you’re going to spend 20 or 30 years in a Russian prison, which itself is not nice.
“So those are your options.

“You’re going to be there for a couple of weeks if you do manage to survive the whole time there. It’s not worth it.”

He added: “Most of the time it’s family, I’m thinking about my family. I’ve got a court date in two months.

“I’m thinking about how long I’ll get. I know it’s going to be a long time. Back of my mind, maybe I’m hoping that my government somehow will get me out, which I doubt is ever going to happen.

“But it’s all hopes for the future.”

A Russian platoon commander suggested Mr Anderson had been in charge of Ukrainian troops when they surrendered rather than face being stormed.

Earlier, it was reported that all but two – Anderson and a Ukrainian – were killed.

The UK Foreign Office is in touch with the former British soldier’s family as it seeks his release.



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