Suspect in murder of former Ukrainian politician detained in Germany by Spain's police

The suspect in the murder of former deputy head of the Ukrainian President's Office Andrii Portnov in May 2025 has been detained in Germany, as announced by Spain's National Police.

Source: European Pravda, citing a statement by the Spanish police

Details: Agents from the 5th Homicide Investigation Unit of the Madrid Police Headquarters travelled to the German city where they arrested the suspect. They worked in cooperation with a special operations unit of Germany's Federal Criminal Police Office.

According to the investigation, the detainee is suspected in the shooting of Andrii Portnov.

A European arrest warrant has been issued, along with a European investigation order authorising a search of the suspect's residence.

Spanish law enforcement officials added that the investigation is ongoing to fully establish the circumstances of the case.

Background:

• On 21 May 2025, Andrii Portnov, former adviser of ex-Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych, was shot dead in Madrid.
• Shortly after the murder, a Spanish court ordered the investigation into Portnov's murder to be classified.
• Pro-Russian politician Andrii Portnov served as first deputy head of the Ukrainian President's Office under Viktor Yanukovych. It was reported that he had left Ukraine via Zakarpattia in July 2022.

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