A former commander of Russia’s Wagner mercenary group has been denied asylum after fleeing to Norway last year, his lawyer has said.
Andrei Medvedev escaped Russia in January last year across its Arctic border with Norway.
His lawyer said immigration authorities in Norway denied him asylum three weeks ago as they do not consider him a regular combatant of the Russian armed forces, who cannot be punished for taking part in regular combat operations.
“They say the Wagner group is not a part of the Russian armed forces,” Brynjulf Risnes said. “We argue that Wagner, in Ukraine, is an integral part of the Russian armed forces.”
Mr Medvedev does not risk being expelled to Russia as it is “dangerous to send him back” because he would be punished for desertion and likely killed, Mr Risnes said.
Norwegian immigration authorities declined to comment on the ruling, citing the need to seek permission from the person who sought asylum.
Mr Medvedev previously said he is an orphan who joined the Russian army and served time in prison before signing up with Wagner in July 2022.
He claimed he had left the group after witnessing the killing of captured deserters.
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