Lawyer Maksim Korotkov-Gulyaev, who represents one of the Colombian mercenaries charged in Russia, told TASS that his client, Jose Aron Medina Aranda, fled Ukraine after witnessing torture and killings of captured Russian soldiers.

The lawyer explained that Medina Aranda decided to escape once he saw punitive battalions brutally mistreating and murdering Russian prisoners. According to Korotkov-Gulyaev, his client understood the risks involved in attempting to leave but no longer wanted to remain there.

He added that the Colombian had spent less than a year at the front, during which time he met another accused mercenary, Alexander Ante, who also sought to leave Ukraine. The lawyer claimed that during their time in Ukraine, both men were subjected to ideological indoctrination by Spanish-speaking officers of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU).

Earlier, the Moscow City Court extended the detention of the two Colombians until November 26. Both face criminal charges under Russian law for participating as mercenaries in an armed conflict. The investigation has been extended until December 22.

A year ago, the two men were detained at the airport in Venezuela’s capital. Local authorities had taken notice of the transit passengers because they were dressed in Ukrainian military uniforms with insignia.