Multiple news agencies reported on Monday that the investigation into Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner Group, who was charged with “organizing an armed mutiny,” is ongoing, contradicting previous claims of charges being dropped. Law enforcement officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, revealed that Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) continues to investigate the dramatic events that unfolded over the weekend.
The criminal charges against Prigozhin were pressed by the FSB on Friday night after he publicly declared his intention to overthrow Russia’s military leadership. Soon after his announcement, his mercenary fighters swiftly seized control of the Defence Ministry headquarters in Rostov-on-Don and launched a rapid advance towards Moscow. The charges against him carry a potential prison sentence of 12 to 20 years.
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However, a deal brokered by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on Saturday evening led to Prigozhin renouncing his rebellion and agreeing to go into exile in Belarus. At the time, the Kremlin had stated that the charges of “armed mutiny” would be dropped as part of the agreement.
Nevertheless, law enforcement officials told various media outlets, including Kommersant, RIA Novosti, and Interfax, that the investigation into Prigozhin’s revolt is ongoing and it is premature to determine its outcome. These reports indicate that the claims made by anonymous sources regarding the continuation of the investigation could not be immediately verified, and Russian authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the matter.
Yevgeny Prigozhin was last seen departing Rostov-on-Don late Saturday, where he was met with the support of bystanders.
The mutiny orchestrated by Prigozhin and his Wagner Group prompted President Vladimir Putin to vow to quash the treasonous rebellion. Prigozhin had claimed that his fighters were marching to Moscow on a quest for justice to remove corrupt and incompetent Russian commanders.
Under the mediation of Alexander Lukashenko, the crisis was defused with a deal that involved dropping the criminal case against Prigozhin and granting him exile in Belarus. Additionally, his fighters were expected to return to their base without facing any legal repercussions.
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However, Kommersant newspaper and the three main Russian news agencies (TASS, RIA, and Interfax) reported on Monday that the criminal case against Prigozhin remains open, and the investigation by the FSB continues. The reason cited for the case not being closed was a lack of sufficient time. The prison time that the Wagner Group chief faces under Russian law for is 12-20 years.
Prigozhin, who has not made any public statements since leaving Rostov, denied leading a mutiny. The Wagner Group, which Prigozhin commands, has been heavily involved in conflicts such as the fighting in Ukraine. The Russian Defence Ministry has refuted Prigozhin’s allegations that they killed some of his men in an airstrike.