The Norwegian police are planning to launch a former member of the Russian mercenary group Wagner who was arrested for getting into the nation illegally after he fled Russia earlier this month, the Nationwide Police Immigration Service told native media on Wednesday.
Twenty-six-year-old Andrei Medvedev made a dramatic run for it throughout the Arctic border between the 2 international locations within the early hours of Jan. 13, earlier than searching for asylum within the Scandinavian nation.
His lawyer advised AFP final week that he was “keen to discuss his experiences within the Wagner Group to people who find themselves investigating struggle crimes.”
Jon Andreas Johansen of the Nationwide Police Immigration Service said that the discharge was deliberate as “the situations for additional detention … are not current.”
Throughout his detention, Medvedev utilized for asylum in Norway, in response to local media.
Medvedev claims to have fought in Ukraine for 4 months as a member of Wagner earlier than deserting in November when the paramilitary group based by Kremlin-linked businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin allegedly prolonged his contract in opposition to his will.
A doubtlessly beneficial witness capable of make clear Wagner’s reported brutality in Ukraine, Medvedev was questioned by Norwegian authorities.
Many questions stay about Medvedev’s previous and the circumstances of his escape, with some consultants saying he couldn’t have made it throughout the closely guarded Russian-Norwegian border with out help.
Medvedev claims to have entered Norway by crossing the frozen Pasvik river, which kinds a part of the Russian-Norwegian border, after being chased by guard canines and Russian border patrols who fired at him.
AFP has not been capable of independently verify his account of occasions.
Wagner has not denied Medvedev labored for the controversial combating pressure.
AFP contributed reporting.
