(ANSA) - OSLO, JAN 23 - Former commander of the Russian paramilitary group Wagner Andrei Medvedev, who fled to Norway ten days ago, was arrested by the Norwegian police on the basis of immigration law.
The exact reasons for the arrest were not specified, but his lawyer said it was due to "violations of safety regulations" surrounding him.
Medvedev, 26, had crossed the Russian-Norwegian border in the far north on the night between 12 and 13 January asking for asylum in the Scandinavian country, saying he was ready to "speak about his experience in the Wagner group to people investigating war crimes".
The man said he fought in Ukraine for Wagner for four months before defecting in November, when the paramilitary organization led by Yevgeny Prigozhina reportedly extended his contract against his will.
A potentially valuable witness to shed light on the brutality of the paramilitary group in Ukraine, he has been grilled by the Norwegian authorities since his arrival in the country, in an undisclosed location and under close surveillance.
"He was arrested under immigration law and the possibility of internment is being considered," Jon Andreas Johansen, the police officer in charge of immigration affairs, told AFP in an email.
(HANDLE).