Norway
Wagner deserter fought with police outside a bar
Andrei Medvedev, who says he crossed the Norwegian border under the bullets of Russian soldiers, was arrested in Oslo. Drunk, he resisted when he was arrested and even attacked officers at the station.
Published
According to the indictment, Andrei Medvedev was arrested overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday, following a fight outside a bar in Oslo.
REUTERS
Andrei Medvedev, who presents himself as a deserter from the Russian paramilitary group Wagner, will be tried in Norway after being involved in a brawl in Oslo, the Norwegian prosecutor’s office announced on Friday. The 26 year old Russian who took refuge in the Nordic countrywas arrested overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday, following a fight outside a bar in the Norwegian capital, according to the indictment.
The exact circumstances of the brawl are not specified but, according to court documents, Andrei Medvedev, in a state of intoxication, resisted arrest and then physically attacked the police once he arrived at the station. He will be tried on April 25.
Ready to testify about the brutality of the group
Saying he had fought in Ukraine, in Wagner’s uniform, for four months before deserting in November, he had crossed the Russian-Norwegian border in the Arctic, on the night of January 12 to 13, through barbed wire and under the bullets of Russian guards launched at his heels with dogs, according to his account.
Having sought asylum in Norway, he has declared himself ready to testify about the brutality of the Wagner group, a potentially valuable contribution to shed light on the question of war crimes of which Russia is accused in Ukraine. He claims in particular to be aware of executions, by Wagner, of mercenaries refusing to return to combat and says he has in his possession a video showing these abuses.
Already stopped in January
Since his arrival in the Scandinavian country, where he was interrogated by a police unit responsible for investigating war crimes, Andrei Medvedev has given the authorities a hard time. In January, he was briefly arrested for, according to his lawyer, “breaches of the security rules surrounding him”. A few days later, this same lawyer gave up representing him, without providing an explanation.
Many questions remain about Andrei Medvedev’s personality, his career and the circumstances of his flight. Many experts believe that the ex-mercenary could not cross the heavily guarded border without assistance.
(AFP)