Man to appear in court facing 'terror charges' linked to eastern Ukraine

A 41-year-old man has been charged with two terrorism offences linked to the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

Benjamin Stimson from Oldham is set to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, Greater Manchester Police said.

He is accused of two offences, one involving "the intention of committing acts of terrorism and engaging in conduct in preparation for giving effect to his intention", and the second "the intention of committing acts of terrorism and assisting acts of terrorism".

Stimson was interviewed by the BBC while he was with the Donbass militia in eastern Ukraine in October 2015, and was filmed saying he would be prepared to kill if his life was threatened, and he would see it as an act of war.

However, in a video posted on YouTube last month, he claimed the journalists had told him to handle a gun.

He said: "They told me to pick a weapon up."

Stimson also denied any involvement in military action, saying he had gone to the country to drive ambulances and at the time of the interview was trying to get away from the militia.

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