Finnish court remands Russian neo-Nazi Jan Petrovsky in custody
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Russian neo-Nazi Jan Petrovsky, also known as Voislav Torden, has been remanded in custody by the Helsinki District Court in Finland on suspicion of committing war crimes in Ukraine prior to Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, national broadcaster Yle reported on Dec. 18.
The charges against Petrovsky are expected to be filed no later than May 31, 2024.
The preliminary investigation will be conducted in Finland as Petrovsky cannot be extradited to Ukraine. According to the Finnish Supreme Court decision, Finland is unable to consent to extradition due to the conditions of detention in Ukrainian prisons.
Finnish authorities have the jurisdiction to investigate the alleged crimes in Ukraine, as covered by international treaties ratified by both countries.
Who is Yan Petrovsky?
Petrovsky, nicknamed Veliky Slavyan (Great Slav), is the second-in-command of the "Rusich" Sabotage Assault Reconnaissance Group, a Russian far right and neo-Nazi paramilitary unit that operates within the Russian army, engaging in conflict against Ukrainian forces.
The group is also known to have connections with the Wagner mercenary group.
Petrovsky fought in the ranks of the Rusich Group in Donbas in 2014-2016. He is currently wanted by the Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office for the killing and torture of Ukrainian military personnel.
Petrovsky went to live in Finland under an assumed name and because his wife is studying there. He received a permit for one year’s residence under the name of Voislav Torden.
Finnish police detained Petrovsky at Helsinki-Vantaa airport on July 20 on suspicion of immigration violations when he and his family were traveling to France to visit relatives.
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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
