Russian trembles for his life
Is Norway sending ex-Wagner commanders back to Putin?
After a dispute with the authorities, ex-Wagner commander Andrei Medvedev was arrested in Norway. Now he fears deportation to Russia.
Published: 20 minutes ago
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Andrei Medvedev fled to Norway.
Andrei Medvedev (26) has been in Norway for about a week. The former commander of the notorious Wagner group fled across the border of Russia on January 13. He no longer wanted to kill people on command in Ukraine and believed he was safe in Norway.
But now he must fear for his life. There is trouble with the authorities. According to his lawyer, Medvedev was arrested by the police on Sunday evening and taken to a detention center, as reported by the British newspaper “Guardian”.
In a telephone conversation with reporters from the British newspaper, Medvedev confirmed that he was afraid of being deported to Russia. A severe punishment would probably await the fugitive there. No wonder, because Medvedev apparently wants to unpack in Norway and testify against his ex-boss Yevgeny Prigozhin (61).
Disputes about living conditions
The close confidante of President Vladimir Putin (70) causes fear and terror with his private mercenaries in the Ukraine war. A statement against the top Wagner boss and thus the closest circle around Putin is extremely dangerous. Again and again, even high-ranking Russian people who criticize Putin die mysteriously.
The reason for the arrest is said to have been a heated argument between Medvedev and the authorities, the Russian’s lawyer said. Accordingly, there were “strong differences of opinion” regarding Medvedev’s current living conditions. The Wagner soldier was placed under police protection until he was arrested and housed in a secret shelter.
“He stayed in the house voluntarily. If he refuses to stay there, they must either let him go or arrest him. They did the latter,” the mercenary’s lawyer told The Guardian. He will now speak to the police and try to find a solution.
Wagner boss demanded arrest of Medvedev
Medvedev said he had seen several executions of conscientious objectors while in Ukraine and wanted to testify. He is the first known soldier of the Wagner group who fled to Europe and agreed to testify against Prigozhin.
The 26-year-old left the position of the Wagner mercenaries shortly after his contract expired. Shortly after his escape, Prigozhin ordered Medvedev’s arrest – without success. (zis)