EPAThe Australian government has been told by Moscow that one of its citizens in Russian captivity is still alive.
Oscar Jenkins, a 32-year-old teacher, was captured last year while fighting for Ukraine.
“The Australian government has received confirmation from Russia that Oscar Jenkins is alive and in custody,” Foreign Minster Penny Wong said in a statement on Wednesday.
Earlier, there were reports that Mr Jenkins had been killed while in captivity, with the Australian government citing “grave concerns” for his welfare.
“We still hold serious concerns for Mr Jenkins as a prisoner of war,” Wong’s statement added.
It also called on Russia to release him and reiterated Australia’s stance that the Russian Federation was obligated to treat all prisoners of war in accordance with international humanitarian law.
Prisoners of war are protected from all acts of violence or intimidation by the Geneva convention.
Earlier, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had said that the government was “urgently seeking” confirmation that Mr Jenkins was alive.
Ukraine’s ambassador to Australia was quoted by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation as saying that it was “good news” but called on Moscow to provide “video proof” of his well being.
Mr Jenkins is thought to be the first Australian to have been held as a prisoner of war while fighting for Ukraine.
A video surfaced in December last year showing Mr Jenkins, with his hands tied, being hit in the face and questioned by Russian forces.
He explains he is a teacher and also a soldier who lives in both Australia and Ukraine.
They ask him if he is being paid to fight in Ukraine.
