Ukraine demands Belarus hand over held 'mercenaries'

MOSCOW

Ukraine has requested the extradition of 33 alleged Wagner mercenaries arrested in Belarus.

Speaking at a news conference in Kiev Thursday, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Minsk has not given an official response yet, but the Ukrainian side is "happy" over cooperation with the Belarusian law enforcement bodies. He also added that Kiev considers some of the detainees to be Ukrainian citizens.

Meanwhile, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has instructed the authorities to invite the Russian and Ukrainian attorneys general for examination of the case.

"Sit down together, the three of you [attorneys general of Belarus, Russia and Ukraine]. Do as you see fit. Based on our laws and international legal acts, decide on these guys," he said.

Late in July, 33 Russian nationals allegedly linked to the private military company Wagner were arrested in Belarus. According to Lukashenko, they were going to destabilize the presidential election scheduled for Aug. 9.