A 38-year-old foreign national was arrested in South Africa’s Gauteng province on the night of November 11 on suspicion of being on his way to join the war between Russia and Ukraine, the Hawks, South Africa’s specialized police unit for organized and priority crimes, said in a statement. He was expected to appear in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on the morning of November 12.
What the Hawks Say
The arrest was made by a multidisciplinary investigation team that included INTERPOL’s Pretoria bureau, the Hawks’ unit for crimes against the state and serious organized crime in Germiston, international law enforcement agencies, SAPS Crime Intelligence and private security companies. Acting on intelligence gathered during the investigation, the team carried out an operation that led to the arrest.
The suspect faces charges under South Africa’s Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act of 1998. The statement does not give his nationality.
Days After Nine Other Arrests
The arrest comes days after police arrested nine Zimbabwean nationals at OR Tambo Airport and a hotel in Johannesburg on November 8 as they prepared to board flights to Russia.
A Safe Way Out
Foreign nationals lured into Russia’s armed forces have an option to safely escape the battlefield with Ukraine’s “I Want to Live” project. See our FAQ for recommendations for victims of Russian military recruitment and their families.
Source: stoprussianrecruiters.org
