Latest news with #UkrainianInternationalLegion
Russia Today
17-03-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Ukraine extradites German mercenary wanted for rape at home
The Ukrainian authorities have extradited a German mercenary who is wanted in his home country on suspicion of rape and possession and distribution of child pornography, the media outlet Suspilne has reported, citing the office of Ukraine's Public Prosecutor General. Identified only as Ben R., the individual had until recently served in the Ukrainian International Legion – a unit of foreign fighters that Russia considers mercenaries. Ukraine reportedly decided to deport Ben R. on December 31, 2024, but the process was slowed down by the need to study 'all the circumstances.' According to the report, the Ukrainian authorities also launched a pre-trial investigation into Ben R. over allegations of rape made by two local women. Strana UA claimed that the 29-year-old was detained in January, with German media alleging earlier this year that he was being investigated in Ukraine on suspicion of raping a minor. In 2021, the German military launched a probe against the man, who was serving in the Bundeswehr at the time, after at least four women accused him of sexual harassment or rape, according to the Office of the Armed Forces Parliamentary Commissioner. However, the investigations were eventually dropped 'for various reasons,' the publication added. Ben R. reportedly came under the authorities' scrutiny again in early 2022, following a tip-off from the US National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about child pornography which was being distributed on the online platform Discord. In March 2022, the German police raided the suspect's home in Bavaria, confiscating his electronic devices, whereupon he swiftly moved to Ukraine, several media outlets reported. He allegedly went on to join a medical unit, with Bild describing him as a 'German hero' several months later. Meanwhile, German investigators discovered that the impounded devices contained a 'total of 5,700 photos and around 420 videos showing sexualized violence against children,' according to Der Spiegel. In September 2022, Bavarian prosecutors filed an EU-wide arrest warrant against the man, followed by an extradition request to Ukraine and a second EU arrest warrant in 2023. In November of that year, new pornographic materials linked to him, which had presumably been filmed and uploaded during his stay in Ukraine, were discovered on the internet, Der Spiegel reported. According to the Ukrainian media, the military unit where the man had served only terminated his contract in November 2024.
Yahoo
04-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Downing Street refuses to support former MP fighting in Ukraine
Downing Street has refused to support a former Tory MP who went to fight in Ukraine. Jack Lopresti, 55, is part of the Ukrainian International Legion, a unit of ground forces made up of foreign volunteers, after arriving in the country on Jan 15. He made the decision to sign up after he lost his seat of Filton and Bradley Stoke in the general election last year. Under the Foreign Enlistment Act of 1870, it is illegal for British citizens to enlist in an international legion, but the Government has not threatened its enforcement since the Spanish Civil War. Asked if the Prime Minister supported Mr Lopresti's decision to serve in the Ukrainian army, a Downing Street spokesman said: 'Our long-standing position on this is that we advise against travel to Ukraine, except in some western regions of the country. 'Obviously, the Government is supporting Ukraine wherever we can,' the spokesman added. 'We want to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position, we're continuing to provide essential military equipment to Ukraine, and this year, we'll provide £4.5 billion of military aid to support forces on the front line in this critical year.' The Foreign Office website warns: 'If you travel to Ukraine to fight, or to assist others engaged in the war, your activities may amount to offences under UK legislation. You could be prosecuted on your return to the UK.' Mr Lopresti, a former deputy chairman of the Conservative Party and parliamentary chairman of Conservative Friends of Ukraine is not currently involved in face-to-face combat, but said that he would be willing to fight on the front line if that was needed. The veteran told The Telegraph on Monday: 'I am a soldier. If I'm asked and needed to do any particular task, I will do it to the best of my ability. It would be very strange for me to serve in the Ukrainian military and not say this. I am here and I will do my best.' In February 2022, Liz Truss, the then foreign secretary to the UK, said that she would 'absolutely' support Britons fighting in Ukraine 'if that's what they want to do'. Dominic Grieve, the former attorney general, contradicted this at the time and said that Britons who fought in the war would be violating the 1870 act 'and committing a criminal offence'. However, Sir Bob Neill, the former chairman of the Commons justice committee, said the Foreign Enlistment Act had not been enforced since 1896, according to the Guardian. He pointed out that it had been described by the judicial committee of the privy council as an 'antiquated piece of legislation', adding: 'What's good enough for fighting Franco is good enough for fighting Putin.' Speaking about his decision to join the Ukrainian army, Mr Lopresti said: 'I don't think breaking the law would apply in this case, the UK is fully behind what the Ukrainians are doing here.' He added: 'If it was illegal I'd still do it. The Ukrainians are fighting our battles for us – we're talking about the Western World.'
