Europol: three arrested in Moldova for links with the Wagner Group
Moldovan authorities have raided over 50 locations connected to suspected members of the paramilitary Wagner Group and arrested three people linked with war crimes against Ukrainians.
An operation by the Moldavan and Ukrainian national authorities, supported by the EU agency Europol’s Core International Crimes team, targeted individuals suspected of having taken part in the Russian war against Ukraine as mercenaries for the Wagner Group. The investigation, led by the Ukrainian Police, involved the Moldovan Police and the Prosecutor General’s Office of Ukraine and the Prosecutor’s Office for Combating Organised Crime and Special Cases of Moldova.
The investigation has so far identified 85 individuals linked to the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. The National Police of Ukraine has opened a special criminal case, which contains information about the recruitment, training, financing, and the use of the alleged mercenaries in combat actions against Ukraine. Moldova has initiated new preliminary investigations.
The seizures made during the raids include a large number of documents, pictures and video material. The individuals, all Moldovan nationals, allegedly participated in the occupation of the city of Bakhmut, the battle for Donetsk Airport, the creation of the Debaltsevo cauldron within the Wagner paramilitary group, the Somali battalion and other armed formations of the self-proclaimed Donetsk Republic and Russia. Investigative information shows that the investigated individuals have been awarded medals and decorations by the military leadership of the Russian forces in the occupied territories.
Europol supported the investigation by facilitating information exchange, coordinating operational activities and providing specialised analytical support focussed on the potential involvement of these individuals into war crimes committed in Ukraine.
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Europol’s Core International Crimes
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