Russian National Arrested in Dubai Over Assassination Attempt on Senior Russian General
A Russian national, Lyubomir Korba, suspected in the assassination attempt on Lieutenant-General Vladimir Alekseyev, a senior officer in Russia's military intelligence agency, has been arrested in Dubai and extradited to Russia, according to reports from multiple sources including TASS, ANSA, and Deutsche Welle.
Background
Lieutenant-General Vladimir Alekseyev, deputy head of Russia's GRU military intelligence service, was shot multiple times on February 6, at a residential building in northwestern Moscow. This attack on the Russian general is one in a series of recent assaults against high-ranking military officials in Russia, which the Kremlin has blamed on Ukraine. However, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has denied any involvement, suggesting it could be a result of internal Russian conflicts.
Key Developments
Korba, born in 1960, is believed to have fled to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) immediately following the attack. The Federal Security Service (FSB) confirmed that he was detained in Dubai, with assistance from local authorities. The arrest of Korba's accomplice, also implicated in the attempted assassination, was later reported by TASS. However, ANSA mentioned that a companion had escaped to Ukraine.
President Putin expressed his gratitude to UAE leader Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for the assistance in detaining the suspect. The extradition of Korba is seen as a significant development in the investigation of this high-profile case.
Controversies and Implications
While the FSB stated that the detainees provided details of preparations for the assassination attempt, indicating that it was carried out on orders from the Ukrainian Security Service, the Ukrainian side vehemently denies these allegations. La Repubblica reported that all those involved in the attack are Ukrainians but the methods used raise suspicions.
The BBC also reported the naming of three suspects, including the alleged gunman Korba. However, it is unclear if the other two suspects are still at large or if they have been apprehended.
Current Status
Following his extradition, Lyubomir Korba has been taken into custody by Moscow court. The investigators, led by Investigative Committee spokesperson Svetlana Petrenko, are working on the case, trying to unravel the facts behind this high-profile attack.
While the arrest of Korba is a significant development, there are still unanswered questions and conflicting reports concerning the details of the assassination attempt and the exact number of people involved. As the investigation continues, it remains to be seen how this incident will affect the already strained relations between Russia and Ukraine.