Wagner deserter convicted of fight in Oslo

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A deserter from the Russian mercenary group Wagner has been sentenced to 14 days in probation in Norway for involvement in a brawl. However, the Oslo court on Thursday acquitted Andrei Medvedev (26) of charges for assaulting police officers.

Medvedev has pleaded guilty to taking part in a street fight outside a bar in central Oslo in February and resisting arrest. Three weeks later, in the same bar, he was also caught with an air pistol on his belt. “I am very ashamed,” the 26-year-old said in court. He denied the charge that he kicked the police when he was arrested.

Defense attorneys are pleased with the verdict

The three judges unanimously ruled that prosecutors had not provided sufficient evidence to convict Medvedev on this count. Had he been found guilty on this count, he would have faced up to three years in prison.

“We are very happy with the verdict,” Brynjulf ​​Risnes, the defendant’s lawyer, wrote in a text message to AFP news agency. His client escaped from prison and can now concentrate on what he came to Norway for: “witnessing about the war in Ukraine”.

Medvedev claims to have spent four months fighting in Ukraine as a member of the Wagner mercenary group. In November, he deserted when the group of mercenaries extended his contract against his will. Norwegian authorities questioned the 26-year-old to obtain information about alleged human rights violations in Ukraine.

Medvedev had applied for asylum in Norway, but had been embroiled in many disputes with authorities since his arrival in mid-January. His past and the circumstances surrounding his alleged escape continue to raise questions. (bab/AFP)

Source: Blick