U.S President Donald Trump has called for the death penalty to be imposed on the man charged with the murder of a Ukrainian refugee while they were on a train.

The man identified as 34-year-old Decarlos Brown Jr, 34 was arrested and charged with first-degree murder following the unprovoked, brutal stabbing attack of 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska during a train ride in Charlotte, North Carolina, on August 22.

A case which has gripped the nation since video footage of the assault came to light over the past week.

Trump made his thoughts known on the case via his Truth Social platform, calling for the harshest possible punishment to be meted out to Brown Jr, calling him an animal for his actions.

“The ANIMAL who so violently killed the beautiful young lady from Ukraine, who came to America searching for peace and safety, should be given a “Quick” (there is no doubt!) Trial, and only awarded THE DEATH PENALTY. There can be no other option!!!.

Brown, who remains in custody, faces a federal charge of committing a murder on a mass transportation system and a state charge of first-degree murder, with both carrying the possibility of a death sentence, as per The Telegraph.