The key facts

  • Nine foreign nationals aged 20–26 detained in Johannesburg while attempting to leave South Africa to take part in the conflict in Ukraine
  • Charges relate to mercenary activity without South African government permission; the detainees' nationality has not been disclosed
  • The operation was carried out with Interpol's involvement; similar cases were previously reported in Argentina and Switzerland

Detention in Johannesburg

Nine foreign nationals attempting to leave South Africa to take part in the conflict in Ukraine have been detained. The BBC reported this citing police data. The group, aged between 20 and 26, was detained in Johannesburg and accused of violating South African laws prohibiting mercenary activity without government permission. The nationality of those detained has not been disclosed.

How the operation was carried out and what is known about similar cases previously

According to journalists, the operation was conducted by an interdisciplinary team with the participation of Interpol. In connection with this case, Gazeta.Ru recalls two previous episodes: in July, Argentina detained Griselda Ines Ortiz, a former police officer who, according to law enforcement agencies, was recruiting former police officers and other specialists with weapons-handling skills to fight on the side of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, promising them monthly payments of $3,000. In addition, Switzerland previously reported investigations into citizens' participation in combat on the side of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The detention in South Africa shows that the issue of citizens traveling abroad to take part in the conflict remains a matter of attention for authorities in several countries across different continents, although sources do not confirm any direct link between these cases.