A former commander with the Russian paramilitary Wagner Group has claimed asylum in Norway after deserting from the mercenary outfit.

Andrey Medvedev, 26, crossed the border into Norway last Friday, where he was detained by border guards.

He is currently being held in the Oslo area where he faces charges of illegal entry to Norway, his lawyer Brynjulf Risnes told the BBC.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64296979

 

I hope asylum is granted provided it can be proven he is a normal combatant and not a murdering war criminal.it will show the regular Russian soldiers there is hope of refuge provided they aren’t war criminals 

3 minutes ago, Tug said:

I hope asylum is granted provided it can be proven he is a normal combatant and not a murdering war criminal.it will show the regular Russian soldiers there is hope of refuge provided they aren’t war criminals 

As a general rule, deserting the military, or avoiding the draft are not grounds for refugee status under UN regulations.   That doesn't mean countries can't grant some other type of consideration -- humanitarian visa, etc..  Each country has the right to decide what rules under which they will allow someone to stay in the country. 

 

The question is, is the Wagner group actually officially part of the military? 

 

Let's play real war-time politics here:  If the man provides info that will be useful in dealing with Wagner and Russia then grant him asylum.  If he is of no use then treat him like a criminal on the run.

1 minute ago, heybruce said:

Let's play real war-time politics here:  If the man provides info that will be useful in dealing with Wagner and Russia then grant him asylum.  If he is of no use then treat him like a criminal on the run.

I think actually granting asylum will be low on the totem pole and will take a fair amount of time.  If they grant asylum, he is basically free to do what he wants.  He also will have freedom of movement (although he won't have a passport).

 

There are a number of other conditions under which he can be detained, such as enemy combatant. 

Petrov and Boshirov are preparing for the new assignment?

2 hours ago, Hakuna Matata said:

Petrov and Boshirov are preparing for the new assignment?

Probably.  I don't think there are too many people experienced in covert operations using the Soviet era nerve agent Novochok.

 

Andrey Medvedev better cut a deal that involves a new identity that is a well guarded secret.

This might be the final straw leading to the US finally declaring Russia a state sponsor of terrorism.

I think he deserves asylum more than most of those coming across the English Channel, in that his life will definitely be in danger if they return him to Russia.

Is he on some sort of mission by Putin ?? Wagner is not just a military, they are mercenaries. 

49 minutes ago, jesimps said:

his life will definitely be in danger if they return him to Russia.

Really ?!!!! ????????

From the article in the OP:

"But the Russian human rights group Gulagu, who helped Mr Medvedev leave Russia, confirmed his identity. His escape is believed to be the first known instance of one of the group's soldiers defecting to the West.

Gulagu's founder Vladimir Osechkin told the BBC that Mr Medvedev had joined the paramilitary group in July 2022 on a four-month contract, but had deserted after witnessing a host of human rights abuses and war crimes while serving in Ukraine."

 

I can think of a number of countries that would be interested in providing accommodation to him in exchange for a chat.  

7 hours ago, Scott said:

 

The question is, is the Wagner group actually officially part of the military? 

 

No.

That is not the question.

 

23 hours ago, papa al said:

No.

That is not the question.

 

Is the Wagner Group part of the Russian army?

8 hours ago, ozimoron said:

Is the Wagner Group part of the Russian army?

...are you kidding bro...

They are mercenaries fighting w/ Russia vs. Ukraine.

dafug ...

 

1 minute ago, papa al said:

...are you kidding bro...

They are mercenaries fighting w/ Russia vs. Ukraine.

dafug ...

 

I know. I was fishing for an answer from the person I responded to who I believe is a Russian war sympathiser.

On 1/17/2023 at 8:58 AM, ozimoron said:

This might be the final straw leading to the US finally declaring Russia a state sponsor of terrorism.

Wouldn't put anything past the Biden administration.

*Deleted post edited out*

 

The only way Russia can doom Ukraine is by using nuclear weapons, including a possible dirty bomb. If that happens Russia will go down with Ukraine. The west will not tolerate Russia using nuclear weapons.

As a Norwegian, I say no asylum for mercenaries! 
 

Either he voluntarily joined them, or he is handpicked from a long term jail sentence, and most likely a war criminal, or a trojan. 

3 hours ago, ozimoron said:

The only way Russia can doom Ukraine is by using nuclear weapons

nope

old fashioned ground-and-pound

10 minutes ago, papa al said:

nope

old fashioned ground-and-pound

Yes Comrade 

Conspiracy post reported and removed.  

 

I predict he may fall out of a Window from an Oslo high rise.

4 minutes ago, heybruce said:

Are the Ukrainian people asking for support to stop? 

Do you think the killing will stop if Russia is allowed to roll over more of Ukraine?

1. I guess various Ukranians have various opinion.

2. Russians have been trying to resolve the situation

since 2014/Minsk Accord was

defaulted on by the west.

The west does not want peace.

They want to suppress Russia.

"Allowed"?

Doubtful they can be stopped militarily.

But hey, what does papa know.

Oh. Norway! The happiest country of the world somehow is the country of Breivick. Right place to request an asylum.

Just now, papa al said:

1. I guess various Ukranians have various opinion.

2. Russians have been trying to resolve the situation

since 2014/Minsk Accord was

defaulted on by the west.

The west does not want peace.

They want to suppress Russia.

"Allowed"?

Doubtful they can be stopped militarily.

But hey, what does papa know.

More unsubstaniated claims:

 

Minsk

A major blockage has been Russia’s insistence that it is not a party to the conflict and therefore is not bound by its terms.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/2/9/what-is-the-minsk-agreement-and-why-is-it-relevant-now

2 minutes ago, papa al said:

1. I guess various Ukranians have various opinion.

2. Russians have been trying to resolve the situation

since 2014/Minsk Accord was

defaulted on by the west.

The west does not want peace.

They want to suppress Russia.

"Allowed"?

Doubtful they can be stopped militarily.

But hey, what does papa know.

Apparently papa has gaps in his knowledge.  For example Russia said the Minsk Accord didn't apply to Russia.

 

"A major blockage has been Russia’s insistence that it is not a party to the conflict and therefore is not bound by its terms."  https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/2/9/what-is-the-minsk-agreement-and-why-is-it-relevant-now

 

Do you think it is inevitable that Russia will roll over Ukraine?  Do you think Russia will stop at Ukraine, especially if resistance to its invasion ends?

38 minutes ago, papa al said:

A fact is something everyone agrees on.

Obviously the claims papa reported, are not.

...and...

"approved credible source."

Needing a list of approved sources, I guess.

But, papa would gladly supply credible link.

If politely asked.

A PM with a link to an unapproved source to a dodgy youtube channel with ex Fox host "Clayton Morris who had to leave Fox and the US due to  fraud allegations. Is not a credible source. I would appreciate no further PM's from you.

48 minutes ago, papa al said:

A fact is something everyone agrees on.

Obviously the claims papa reported, are not.

...and...

"approved credible source."

Needing a list of approved sources, I guess.

But, papa would gladly supply credible link.

If politely asked.

A fact is something that can be proven true. It is irrelevant how many people agree on it. Or disagree.

An unattributed post pulling numbers out of the air has been removed also replies quoting it.