Russian Ex-Wagner Commander's Bold Arrest in Norway Sets Global Headlines
Former Wagner commander arrested in Norway for attempting illegal return to Russia after seeking asylum, says lawyer Norwegian police detain him at the border, raising questions about his motives and potential involvement in mercenary activities
The Norwegian police arrested a former commander of the Wagner mercenary group over suspicions of attempting to unlawfully reenter Russia after seeking asylum in Norway earlier this year, according to the man's lawyer. Andrei Medvedev, who fled Russia in January through its Arctic border with Norway, has recounted his escape while being fired upon by Russian guards and has shared details about his involvement in the conflict in Ukraine as a member of the Wagner group.
In a late Friday statement, the police reported the detention of an unidentified man in his 20s for attempting illegal border crossing into Russia. The Finnmark local police officer refused to disclose the arrested individual's identity. It is important to note that crossing the Russian border is strictly permitted only at specified locations.
Medvedev's arrest, according to his Norwegian lawyer Brynjulf Risnes, stemmed from a misunderstanding. Risnes informed Reuters that Medvedev had gone there to locate the spot where he had entered Norway in January. However, while he was in a taxi, he was stopped by authorities. Risnes emphasized that Medvedev had never been close to the border and had no intention of crossing into Russia.
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Upon arriving in Norway, Medvedev expressed his need for asylum, citing his genuine concerns for his safety due to his firsthand accounts of the brutality and mistreatment endured by Russian prisoners who were forcibly taken to the conflict-ridden regions of Ukraine. His noteworthy defection in January garnered global attention, serving as a rare instance of an individual defecting to a Western nation while claiming to have served as a mercenary for Russia in the Ukraine war.
In a YouTube video he shared in May, he expressed his desire to go back to Russia despite acknowledging the potential danger it posed to his life. He referred to himself as a disinterested participant in a significant contest, no longer desiring involvement. Risnes acknowledged that Medvedev had the freedom to return to Russia, but emphasized the necessity for substantial alterations to ensure a secure homecoming.
In April, Medvedev faced conviction in Norway for his involvement in a bar altercation and for carrying an air gun. However, he was acquitted of charges of violent behavior towards the police. At the time, Medvedev expressed his desire for asylum and his focus on the future.
On August 23, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of Wagner, met an untimely demise in a mysterious crash of the private jet he utilized. This incident occurred only two months after Prigozhin had momentarily sent his mercenaries to advance on Moscow, effectively challenging the Russian establishment directly.
