Ukraine rebels executed government soldiers, says Amnesty

Amnesty International says it has evidence that Russian-backed separatists in east Ukraine executed several captured government soldiers in gross violation of international humanitarian law. [caption id=“attachment_2169777” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  AP image[/caption] Amnesty said in a statement Thursday that footage viewed by the group shows at least four Ukrainian soldiers now confirmed dead being interrogated by rebel militia. It said pictures showing bullet wounds to the soldier’s heads and bodies appeared to show they had died as the result of execution-style killings. Hundreds of Ukrainian troops are believed to have been captured by rebel forces over the course of a year-long war that has claimed more than 6,000 lives. Both sides accuse one another of mistreating captives. Under a February peace agreement, all prisoners had been due for release in early March, but little progress has been achieved. AP