Norway arrests former Wagner fighter who escaped from Russia

Andrey Medvedev, who's searching for asylum within the Nordic nation, might face deportation to Russia, a rights group warns.

Medvedev crossed into Norway from neighbouring Russia on January 13, in search of shelter within the Nordic nation [Gulagu.Net/Handout via Reuters]

A former fighter with the Wagner Group, who not too long ago fled to Norway to hunt asylum, has been arrested.

Based on Gulagu.internet, a Russian rights group that helped him escape, Andrey Medvedev faces doable deportation to Russia.

Jon Andreas Johansen, a police official in command of immigration affairs, informed the Related Press on Monday that the 26-year-old had been apprehended on suspicion of coming into the nation with out documentation.

“It's being assessed whether or not he ought to be produced for detention,” Johansen stated.

Medvedev crossed into Norway from neighbouring Russia on January 13, in search of shelter within the Nordic nation.

He claims to have climbed by barbed-wire fences on the 198 kilometre-long (123-mile) frontier, and evaded border patrol officers with canines.

After witnessing the killing and mistreatment of Russian prisoners delivered to the entrance strains in Ukraine to combat for the Wagner Group, Medvedev feared for his life.

The shadowy paramilitary organisation is intently aligned with the Kremlin and has been closely concerned in Russia’s invasion.

‘He has seen the sunshine’

Gulagu.internet, which campaigns for prisoners’ rights and has been in touch with Medvedev since he fled, stated he had been detained and handcuffed on Sunday night and informed he was being taken to a detention centre for subsequent deportation.

There was no affirmation from Norwegian authorities of any plan to deport him.

Gulagu.internet stated Medvedev would face “brutal homicide and demise” for talking out in opposition to Wagner if he was returned to Russia.

“We don't whitewash Medvedev. He has finished many unhealthy issues in his life,” the rights group stated.

“However he has seen the sunshine, he has realised this, he's prepared and prepared to cooperate with the world, with the worldwide investigation and with the authorities of Norway, he needs to reside and testify” in opposition to Wagner and its founder Yevgeny Prigozhin, it added.

Medvedev is an orphan who joined the Russian military and served time in jail earlier than becoming a member of the Wagner Group final July on a four-month contract.

He claims Wagner repeatedly prolonged his contract with out his consent.

He has reportedly informed Gulagu.internet that he's prepared to show all the things he is aware of concerning the drive of mercenary fighters, which Washington has stated might be thought of a legal entity.