A passenger travelling through Edinburgh Airport has been questioned on suspicion of trying to join Russian mercenaries in Ukraine, Edinburgh Live has learnt.
The man was flying back into the country on January 25 when he was stopped by Border Policing Command officers. A source said they were acting on a tip-off that suggested he was aiming to join the notorious Wagner group.
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He was held for questioning before later being released without being arrested or charged. The Terrorism Act 2000 allows officers to 'examine' someone for up to six hours.
It states: "This is so that an Examining Officer may exercise his or her powers under that schedule for the purpose of either determining whether you appear to be a person who is or has been concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism."
The Wagner Group was first spotted in action in eastern Ukraine soon after a separatist conflict erupted there in April 2014. The shadowy outfit is made up of a network of guns for hire.
Since the war, Wagner reportedly commands 50,000 fighters in Ukraine and has become a key component of Russia's campaign, according to the Ministry of Defence.
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A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “A man was interviewed at Edinburgh Airport on Wednesday, 25 January 2023, by Border Policing Command officers. "
They added: "No complaint has been received about the interaction.”
Edinburgh Airport declined to comment on the incident.
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