Hawks arrest another foreign national allegedly heading to Russia-Ukraine war - IOL
Another foreign national has been arrested in Gauteng over an alleged attempt to join the Russia-Ukraine war.
A 38-year-old foreign national has been arrested for allegedly attempting to travel from South Africa to participate in the Russia-Ukraine war, bringing the total number of suspects arrested in connection with the alleged plans to 10.
This comes days after nine Zimbabwean nationals were arrested on Sunday, November 8, at OR Tambo International Airport and a hotel in Bruma, Johannesburg, for allegedly attempting to travel abroad to join the conflict.
The nine subsequently appeared in the Kempton Park and Johannesburg magistratesβ courts.
The latest suspect was arrested on Wednesday night, November 11, following an intelligence-driven operation conducted by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) and other law enforcement agencies.
Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale confirmed that the suspect is expected to appear in the Kempton Park Magistrateβs Court on Thursday, November 12.
Mogale said the arrest followed a coordinated investigation involving INTERPOL Pretoria National Central Bureau, the Hawksβ Crimes Against the State and Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit based in Germiston, international law enforcement agencies and SAPS Crime Intelligence.
The operation also involved the Modus Operandi Centre, the Gauteng Provincial Tracking Team and various private security companies.
"Acting on intelligence gathered during the investigation, the multidisciplinary team operationalised an intervention that resulted in the arrest," Mogale said.
"The suspect allegedly was also en route to fight in the Russian/Ukraine war."
Mogale confirmed that the 38-year-old will face charges under the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act 15 of 1998.
"The suspect will be facing charges of the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act 15 of 1998," Mogale said.
The legislation regulates involvement in foreign military activities and the provision of military assistance abroad.
The Hawks have not disclosed the suspect's nationality or identity.
The suspect is expected to make his first court appearance on Thursday.
