Source: Albanizi in a comment to ABC
Details: The Prime Minister stated that Australia is currently seeking additional confirmations regarding this matter.
Direct quote: "I cannot confirm that this is indeed the case, but certainly, it is a statement made by the Russian authorities to our ministry ... We received this information through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, but we are looking for confirmation."
Background:
- On January 15, CNN reported, citing a statement from Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanizi, that Russians may have killed Australian citizen Oscar Jenkins, who fought on the side of Ukraine and was captured. The Australian government promised to take "the most decisive measures" if this information is confirmed.
- According to CNN, Jenkins was captured by Russian forces in December. A video of his interrogation appeared online, but the network was unable to determine the geolocation of the filming. The footage shows Jenkins' hands tightly bound, and he likely does not understand the questions being asked in Russian.
- Additionally, the Australian channel ABC and CNN affiliate Seven News reported that the Australian was likely killed in captivity. The channels referenced statements from his fellow soldiers.
- On January 17, journalists from "Sledstvo.Info" discovered that a video allegedly showing the body of Australian Oscar Jenkins, who fought on the side of Ukraine and was captured, was published four years ago on an Iranian website, and its description pertains to events in Nagorno-Karabakh.