Venezuela allows Russia to extradite 2 Colombians who fought for Ukraine – media

Media reports have stated that Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) announced on 30 August that it had detained two Colombian citizens who, according to the agency, had participated in combat operations on the Ukrainian side as mercenaries.

Source: Radio Svoboda (Liberty); Columbian newspaper El Tiempo; Politico

Details: According to El Tiempo, both Colombians were detained in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, and were later extradited to Russia. 

The sister of one of the detainees told El Tiempo that they caught the attention of Venezuelan police because they had Ukrainian army uniforms. Alexander Ante and José Aron Medina were reportedly on their way home to Colombia, with a stopover in Caracas.

The authorities of Colombia, Venezuela and Russia have not commented on what happened. Politico also reported on the possible extradition. If the men’s detention and deportation from Caracas indeed occurred, it would mark the first known instance of extradition to Russia of foreign nationals who fought on Ukraine's side.

The FSB also published a video that allegedly shows the Colombians being led down a corridor in Lefortovo prison. The agency stated that a criminal case for mercenary activity had been initiated against the Colombians.

The case could result in up to 15 years of imprisonment. Meanwhile, the FSB did not clarify where or when the Colombians had been detained.

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