• Andrey Medvedev was sent to a detention facility in the Oslo region.
• The 26-year-old entered Norway from far-northern Russia two weeks ago.
• Russian operations frequently make use of the mercenary organization.

Police have detained a former commander of a Russian paramilitary group who had earlier this month requested asylum in Norway.

Police spokeswoman Jon Andreas Johansen informed the Media that Andrey Medvedev is being detained in accordance with the Immigration Act.

The 26-year-old was sent to a detention facility in the Oslo region, according to his attorney, Brynjulf Risnes, who spoke to the Media.

The first member of the Wagner Group to allegedly defect to the West is Mr. Medvedev, who entered Norway from far-northern Russia two weeks ago.

Russian operations frequently make use of the mercenary organization, which is thought to have strong ties to the Kremlin. Officials from the UK estimate that it represents 10% of Moscow’s soldiers in Ukraine.

The move came after “police concluded his situation was very dangerous,” Mr. Risnes told the Media. “This is what everyone wanted to avoid, but we are looking for solutions.”

He had been residing in a safe place before.

The attorney stated that Mr. Medvedev would now be subject to greater security because of his arrest. The former mercenary, he emphasized, was still being regarded as a witness.

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