Yakunin was arrested in Hammerfest on 17 October and eventually charged with violating the ban on Russian citizens flying drones in Norway. He had then been on a sailing trip in Svalbard where he had used a drone to take pictures. – There is no doubt that sanctions laws adopted by the government also apply in Svalbard. State prosecutor Kristin Røhne said so in her introductory speech in court on Tuesday. She was also clear that the prosecution believes Yakunin’s use of a drone is in violation of Norway’s sanctions against Russia. Not in Russia since 2008 Yakunin is the son of a Russian businessman who is said to have ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Yakunin’s defender, John Christian Elden, tells news that Yakunin must be considered a British citizen. Elden says his client has not been to Russia since 2008. The court in Tromsø has set aside four days to hear the case against Yakunin.
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Andrey Yakunin pleads not guilty to illegal drone flight in Svalbard – news Troms and Finnmark
