Russian investigators detained popular commentator and nationalist Igor Girkin on Friday, Reuters reported. Girkin publicly criticized Vladimir Putin and the Russian command for not being sufficiently aggressive and effective in conducting the war in Ukraine.
Igor Girkin is wanted by Ukrainian intelligence for crimes committed on Ukraine. In 2022, he was sentenced in absentia by a Dutch court to life imprisonment for shooting down a Malaysia Airlines flight over eastern Ukraine in July 2014. 298 people died then. The man is wanted on an international arrest warrant and sanctioned.
Media: Russian nationalist detained on charges of extremism
The Russian portal RBC reported on Friday that Girkin has been detained and his apartment is being searched. This information comes from two anonymous interlocutors, and it was also supposedly confirmed by Strelkov’s lawyer. Girkin’s wife told the state news agency TASS that he had been detained on charges of “extremism”.
On Friday, photos of the Russian from the courtroom appeared in the media.
Russian investigators arrested popular commentator and nationalist Igor Girkin on FridayPAP/EPA/ALEXANDER ZEMLIANICHENKO/POOL
Russian investigators arrested popular commentator and nationalist Igor Girkin on FridayPAP/EPA/ALEXANDER ZEMLIANICHENKO/POOL
Girkin is a former FSB officer. After starting by Russia war in Ukraine Donbass in 2014, he commanded the pro-Russian forces of the so-called “separatists”, he also served in the puppet structures of the republics.
Currently, Girkin is the so-called military blogger known for his enthusiastic support for the war in Ukraine as well as for his harsh criticism of the Ministry of Defence, the Kremlin and personally Vladimir Putinaccusing them of errors and inefficiency. According to experts, Girkin enjoys support in pro-war circles of ultra-rationalists in Russia.
Main photo source: PAP/EPA/ALEXANDER ZEMLIANICHENKO/POOL