Russian mercenary group leader detained in Norway

Andrey Medvedev, said to be a senior member of Russia’s Wagner military company, was detained in Norway, where he had previously sought asylum, for “illegally entering the country”.

Police officer Jon Andreas Johansen said Medvedev was detained under the Immigration Act and consideration is being given to whether he will appear in court to assess his detention.

The VG newspaper wrote that Medvedev’s detention was not a punishment but a security measure.
Medvedev’s lawyer, Brynjulf ​​Risnes, told NRK television that his client was not suspected of any wrongdoing. “Significant security measures have been taken,” Risnes said. “Medvedev has trouble adjusting to them,” he said.

Medvedev, who is said to be worried for his life, is believed to have entered Norway by illegally crossing the 200-kilometre border with Russia earlier this month. The Norwegian Immigration Service (UDI) confirmed that Medvedev had applied for asylum on January 16.

After the file was submitted to the Norwegian authorities, Medvedev was transferred to Oslo.
While the Wagner Group, owned by Russian oligarch Yevgeny Prigozhin, is known to operate in many countries, mainly on the African continent, the company announced last month that it had established a “friendship and cooperation center” in Serbia. (AA)