A high Russian normal who reportedly had early data of the Wagner Group’s march on Moscow final week has been arrested.

The Moscow Times stated Gen. Sergei Surovikin has not been seen in public since Saturday, the day Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin and his mercenary military launched a short-lived armed rebel in opposition to Russia’s army institution. 

Mr. Prigozhin has since fled to Belarus.

The newspaper on Wednesday stated two sources near the protection ministry confirmed Gen. Surovikin was in custody.

“He (Surovikin) chose Prigozhin’s side during the uprising, and they’ve got him by the balls,” one of many sources advised the newspaper.

Alexei Venediktov, an editor on the Ekho Moskvy radio station that was shuttered by the Russian authorities, stated Gen. Surovkin is reportedly being held in Moscow’s notorious Lefortovo Prison.

“Surovikin has not been in contact with his family for three days. His guards are not responding either,” Mr. Venediktov stated on his Telegram messaging web page.

Lefortovo is similar jail the place Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich is being held. 

Mr. Gershkovich was detained in March 2023 and accused of espionage, making him the primary American journalist in Russia arrested on such expenses because the Cold War. 

The Wall Street Journal “vehemently” denies the allegations in opposition to their reporter and has referred to as for his rapid launch.

Gen. Surovikin commanded Russia’s forces in Ukraine between October 2022 and January 2023 however was changed and demoted by Gen. Valery Gerasimov, chief of Russia’s normal employees.

Content Source: www.washingtontimes.com