Wagner Group Defector Seeks Asylum In The West

A man claiming to be a former commander in the Kremlin-linked Wagner Group is seeking asylum in Norway, reports BBC News.

Andrey Medvedev was detained by border guards near the Russian-Norwegian border. He is currently being held in the Oslo area, where he faces charges of illegal entry to Norway.

The Russian human-rights group, Gulagu.net, who helped Medvedev leave Russia, confirmed his identity.

According to Gulagu.net’s founder, he joined the Wagner Group in July 2022 on a four-month contract, but deserted after witnessing a host of human-rights abuses and war crimes.

Medvedev’s escape is believed to be the first known instance of a Wagner Group soldier defecting to the West.

Medvedev’s lawyers said their client was in possession of evidence of war crimes and intends to share it with investigators.

The founder of Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, denied the allegations and mocked Medvedev’s testimony.