The former head of the Russian mercenary group Wagner fled Russia to Norway, crossing the border irregularly under the “barking” of guard dogs and “shots” in the back by Federal Security Service (FSB, formerly KGB) border agents. As he said in the video.
“I ran and ran and ran on the icy surface until I reached the first (Norwegian) town and asked for help,” says ex-fighter Andrei Medvedev.
As noted in a video sent to the Russian organization Gulagu.net, The person who denounces human rights violations and who broadcasts on his Telegram channel managed to escape from Russia on the 12th by crossing into Norway, near the border town of Nikkel in the Murmansk region.
Medvedev turned to the security forces and asked for asylum and international protection. Norway’s immigration directorate, also known by its Norwegian acronym UDI, confirmed to The Associated Press that Andrei Medvedev has found asylum in Norway, and his Norwegian lawyer Brynjulf ​​Risnes confirmed he was in the country and had applied. shelter.
He was transferred from the local airport to Oslo, where he was placed in the Immigration Offender Center. “I am very happy that I am in Norway and they give me treatment,” admitted Medvedev.
This is the first time since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24 that a former commander of one of Wagner’s units, which is very present in the neighboring country’s east and is accused of killing thousands of Ukrainians, has fled Russia to Europe. .
“I hope my testimony counts”
Medvedev, who served in the 1st squad of the 4th platoon of the 7th Wagner assault squad, has agreed to testify and expose the founder of the mercenary group Yevgeny Prigozhin, reports Gulagu.Net.
“I hope that my testimony is the key to the Wagner investigation,” says the former fighter.
In early December 2022, Wagner’s ex-commander turned to Gulagu.net and its founder Vladimir Osechkin along with his comrade and asked for help to avoid a lawsuit.
Medvedev left the combat positions of Wagner on July 6, 2022 immediately after the end of the four-month contract.
“During these months, he became the so-called security service of Yevgeny Prigozhin.” RejectedThose who refused to fight with the Ukrainians and wanted to leave the ranks of the mercenary group”, reports Gulagu.net.
“After Medvedev left Wagner, Prigozhin himself and his security service took steps to arrest Andrei,” the organization said, adding that the former commander can now give detailed testimony that will be useful in the investigation.
Source: El Diario
