Russia drops charges against Prigozhin, other participants of Wagner Group rebellion

Russian authorities introduced Tuesday a legal investigation into the armed riot led by Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin has been closed with no expenses filed towards anybody concerned.

The Federal Safety Service mentioned its investigation revealed that the individuals within the mutiny “ceased actions directed at committing the crime,” in accordance with The Related Press.

Regardless of President Vladimir Putin calling them traitors, the Kremlin said over the weekend that it might not prosecute Prigozhin and his troops after he pulled his males again on Saturday to keep away from bloodshed, lower than 24 hours after the revolt started.

The cost of mounting an armed mutiny carries a punishment of as much as 20 years in jail. 

TIMELINE OF WAGNER GROUP’S STANDOFF THAT SHOOK PUTIN’S RUSSIA

Russian authorities introduced Tuesday a legal investigation into the armed riot led by mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin has been closed with no expenses towards anybody concerned. (Prigozhin Press Service through AP)

Prigozhin avoiding prosecution contrasts how the Kremlin has been responding to folks staging anti-government protests. Many opposition figures in Russia obtained prolonged jail sentences and are serving time in penal colonies recognized for harsh situations.

It stays unclear the place Prigozhin is situated as of Tuesday. The Kremlin has mentioned it made a deal the place Prigozhin would transfer to Belarus, however neither he nor the Belarusian authorities have confirmed his whereabouts.

A enterprise jet Prigozhin reportedly makes use of landed close to the Belarusian capital of Minsk on Tuesday morning, in accordance with unbiased Belarusian navy monitoring mission Belaruski Hajun, but it surely’s not clear if the chief was on it.

Prigozhin’s temporary riot over the weekend was the most important problem to Putin’s rule in additional than 20 years in energy.

RUSSIAN WAGNER GROUP GAINS GLOBAL NOTORIETY FROM AFRICA TO UKRAINE, BUT DIVISION BREWS AT HOME

Russian President Vladimir Putin praised Russian unity within the midst of the disaster and rank-and-file Wagner Group fighters for not permitting the riot to result in “main bloodshed” following a march towards Moscow on Saturday. (AP)

Putin, in a nationally televised speech over the weekend, tried to point out stability and management as he criticized the rebellion’s “organizers” with out calling out Prigozhin by title. The president additionally praised Russian unity within the midst of the disaster and rank-and-file Wagner Group fighters for not permitting the riot to result in “main bloodshed.”

Prigozhin had defended his efforts in an audio assertion, during which he taunted the Russian navy, however mentioned he didn’t search to stage a coup towards Putin.

On Monday evening, the Kremlin confirmed Putin assembly with prime safety, legislation enforcement and navy officers, together with Protection Minister Sergei Shoigu, whose elimination was demanded by Prigozhin. Earlier on Monday, the Protection Ministry launched a video of Shoigu inspecting troops in Ukraine.

Russian Protection Minister Sergei Shoigu (proper) listens to an officer as he inspects a command put up of one of many formations of the Zapad (West) group of Russian troops at an undisclosed location of Ukraine. (AP)

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Throughout his speech, Putin supplied Prigozhin’s fighters to both come beneath Russia’s Protection Ministry’s command, depart service or depart to Belarus.

Prigozhin mentioned Monday that the Belarusian management proposed options that might enable the Wagner Group to function “in a authorized jurisdiction.” He supplied no additional particulars on the extent of these operations. 

The Related Press contributed to this report.