Russia has issued an arrest warrant for a former Norwegian politician who currently serves as a medic in the Ukrainian military, the state-run news agency TASS reported Tuesday, citing law enforcement agencies.
“Sandra Andersen Eira, a Norwegian woman from the International Legion of Ukraine, has been placed on an international wanted list as part of a criminal investigation into the participation of a mercenary in an armed conflict,” TASS’ source was quoted as saying.
Moscow’s Basmanny District Court ruled to place Eira in pre-trial detention in absentia for two months.
She is among nearly 400 people being sought as “foreign mercenaries” by Russia, according to an Interior Ministry database of wanted persons obtained by the independent news website Mediazona earlier this year.
Eira, who served in the representative body of the Sami people of Norway between 2017 and 2021, enlisted as a combat medic with the Ukrainian military shortly after Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.