Footballer, Teacher, Soldier, Prisoner?

I had a friend at primary and middle school called Oscar Jenkins. When I moved for high school, I never really saw him again, although he did leave quite an impression. He was a terrific footballer and cricketer, and there were quite a few to pick from in my year level. Not only was he talented, but he was the type who you would naturally pick as captain; while not always loud, he was very reliable and well liked by all.

As you can imagine, it was the most terrible of surprises to see that the kid I played school yard cricket with 20 years prior had recently been captured by Russian forces in Ukraine. According to news reports, Oscar decided to join the resistance, and is fighting on the front.

The videos and images are shocking. Handcuffed, dirty, thin and sullen eyed, Oscar is a shadow of the bright futured boy I remember back in Melbourne.

His fate is no longer his own. The best case scenario is the Aus Government will be able to organise his release, perhaps with a prisoner swap. There is reason to hope that this may occur; after all, they were able to free Kylie Moore-Gilbert from Iran a few years ago.

There are stark differences though: Dr Moore-Gilbert was an academic falsely accused of espionage, appeared completely normal, and is very photogenic. The last two points shouldn’t matter, but sadly, it does.

In comparison, Mr Jenkins is clearly fighting as a mercenary, has made some unusual comments in the past about converting Chinese people to veganism, and doesn’t have the million dollar smile. The sympathy from the public just won’t be the same; and the fact remains, he chose to join the front, knowing full well this might happen.

I hope Oscar is freed. He is a good person, and was always kind to me at school. While I pray for the best, there is every chance that the worst may happen, and the Russians will execute him.

He is just 32 years old.