2024-08-31 18:28:34
The Lefortovo district court in Moscow has decided to provisionally detain two Colombian citizens, Alexander Ante and José Aron Medina Aranda, accused by the Russian government of being mercenaries after having fought in Ukraine against Moscow’s forces.
The preventive measure was imposed at the request of the authorities in charge of the preliminary investigation.according to an official statement issued by the Moscow court.
Alexander Ante, 46, and José Aron Medina Aranda, 36, face charges that could result in sentences of up to 15 years in prison.accused of participating as mercenaries in the Ukrainian conflict. The Russian news agency TASS, known for its closeness to the government, reported that both Colombians had been part of the ranks of the Ukrainian army in its fight against Russian forces.
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The case has attracted international attention, not only for the nature of the accusations, but for the circumstances in which the disappearance of these two men occurredAccording to reports from the Colombian newspaper El Tiempo, Ante and Medina Aranda were reported missing in Caracas, Venezuela, after having expressed their intention to return to Colombia following their participation in the conflict.
The Colombians’ initial plan was to return to their country through Venezuela. However, their journey was cut short in the Venezuelan capital, where they mysteriously disappeared. This detail has generated speculation about possible collaboration between the governments of Nicolás Maduro and Vladimir Putin, given the political affinity between both leadersAccording to the same sources, the Colombians were already in European territory and their return date was set for this month, which makes their capture in Venezuela even more enigmatic.
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