A Ukrainian man has been arrested in Germany on suspicion of murdering Andriy Portnov in Madrid
The German publication *Die Zeit* has released details regarding Ukrainian national Oleksandr A., who was detained in Germany on suspicion of murdering Andriy Portnov, the former deputy head of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine, in Madrid.
This is reported by the German publication Die Zeit.
According to the publication’s March 31 report, after committing the crime in Spain, Oleksandr A. (presumably Oleksandr Azizov) fled to Germany. Police allegedly discovered a cannabis plantation and a weapon in his apartment in Heinsberg, which, according to investigators, was used to kill Portnov. However, official authorities in Germany and Ukraine have not yet confirmed the details of the arrest.
The publication spoke with acquaintances of the suspect and his landlord. According to sources, Oleksandr A. acted as a “one-time agent”—a petty criminal with contacts in Moscow who is recruited for short-term, high-risk operations. Similar cases have already occurred in Germany involving other individuals involved in contract operations on behalf of Russia.
According to acquaintances, Alexander A. did not express pro-Putin views in Germany, did not talk about politics, and claimed to be against the war. He was actively involved in sports—morning workouts and boxing—and afterward attended a language school, preparing to work for a security company.
The suspect arrived in Heinsberg back in 2022, but spent most of his time with a friend, often hanging out at the bus station. Local residents had almost no contact with him.
Currently, Oleksandr A. is in custody in Cologne awaiting extradition. He has refused assistance from the Ukrainian consulate.
As a reminder, the body of Yanukovych’s former adviser Andriy Portnov, who was shot dead in Madrid, Spain, is scheduled to be buried in Kyiv. His remains have already been handed over for repatriation to Ukraine.
We also previously reported that Andriy Portnov, who was killed in Spain, had transferred ownership of a luxury mansion to his children a few months before his death.
Lawyer Andriy Portnov was in Ukraine a few days before his murder in Madrid. There, he met with top officials responsible for law enforcement agencies.
