– You cannot say anything about the details of the content, says Brynjulf Risnes, who is Andrej Medvedev’s lawyer, about the interrogations that Kripos has started with his client. A week ago he crossed the border into Norway in Pasvikdalen in Eastern Finnmark. He claims he is a defector from the infamous Wagner group, which is fighting for Russia in the Ukraine war. Kripos confirmed on Wednesday that they wanted to question Medvedev about his time in the Wagner group. He has the status of a witness in the case. Risnes says that during the interrogations, Medvedev has disclosed his own history from enlistment to his escape from the Wagner group and his escape to Norway. – What is most interesting is his period in the Wagner group, says Risnes, who adds that fresh information is more valuable than old information, Kripos has the national responsibility for investigating war crimes in Norway and participates in the international investigation of war crimes in Ukraine at the International Criminal Court (ICC). Lawyer Brynjulf Risnes states that his client, Andrej Medvedev, has been in long interviews with Kripos this week. Photo: HANS ERIK WEIBY / news Sensitive information Kjetil Stormark, who is a recognized investigative journalist and now works as a Politiforum, says that this is a case that could be of importance to PST. Therefore, for the time being, it is also tactically wise for PST personnel to keep their distance. – It is extremely demanding to get across the border in the north, and then the Norwegian authorities cannot ignore the possibility that this is a man who we classically call a provocateur or a person the Russian authorities see benefit from jumping off in this way. He has a right to be treated properly and according to the principles of the rule of law. But you will be careful about exposing sensitive information to the person in question, he says. Stormark also points out that there have recently been a number of incidents where Russia has tried to test Norway’s ability to react in the border area in Eastern Finnmark. – It is tested how quickly you catch them. There have been several incidents in the north in recent weeks. Among other things, we saw that two of the crew from a Russian fishing boat walked around Kirkenes wearing clothes that looked very militant. They were checked up by the police following tips from the public. He reminds that it is important to be vigilant and not to be naive in handling the case. – But if this is the real thing, this man who defected may be able to contribute good information and important pieces of the puzzle in relation to a possible legal settlement for the war crime that has occurred and is still ongoing in Ukraine. – Is he seen as credible In a video clip on YouTube, Medvedev tells about the dramatic escape to Norway. Andrej Medvedev states, among other things, that he has witnessed mass murder, and he will also testify against the management of the Wagner group. Risnes tells news that he believes in his client’s story. – I find him to be very credible, says the lawyer, who adds that both private and public intelligence indicate that what Medvedev says is true. Brynjar Risnes also states that Andrej Medvedev feels a great deal of insecurity, but that he feels secure as many people now know about his story. – He does not appear to be afraid, but he is distressed and tired. I would say traumatized, says Risnes. – The FSB has good control Andrej Medvedev has revealed that he received help to cross the border, but without going into more detail about how. – He made an escape plan, and it seems like a piece of art in itself, says Risnes, who states that he got help. – He wants to say as little as possible about that, but he has received help at several stages. Several defense experts Dagbladet has spoken to believe there is a real probability that the help has come from Russian border guards. – Border forces from the FSB have good control over what is going on in the area, says Lieutenant-Colonel Palle Ydstebø, head teacher at the War College. He believes it is very difficult and demanding to avoid being seen from the observation towers or by the border patrols, especially now in winter when the guards can quickly spot footprints in the snow. Tom Røseth, intelligence expert and head teacher at the Staff School at the Norwegian Defense Academy, also believes it is almost impossible to cross this border illegally. He also believes that Medvedev may have received assistance from someone in the system, for example through bribes. Lieutenant-Colonel Geir Hågen Karlsen believes that it is more likely that you will freeze to death or walk through the ice on the road than that you will be able to get across. He cannot rule out that bribes have been used to get through the checkpoints. Local reactions – It’s not the first time someone has experienced illegal border crossing, says Guro Brandshaug. Brandshaug is the leader of the Kirkeneskonferansen and mayoral candidate for the Sør-Varanger Labor Party ahead of the upcoming municipal election, but has also been a central figure in business life in the municipality for a number of years. She says that the local population has confidence that the authorities have control over the border, and that Medvedev’s border crossing is viewed with a twinkle in the eye. – There is a bit of a chuckle around that you are now locking the door in Pasvik, says Brandshaug. Guro Brandshaug from Sør-Varanger Photo: Kristina Kalinina / news
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The man who claims he is a Wagner defector is questioned by Kripos – news Troms and Finnmark
