JOHANNESBURG – Four suspects have been arrested at OR Tambo International Airport on suspicion of recruiting South Africans for the Russian armed forces, in violation of the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act 15 of 1998.
The arrests on Friday 28 November, followed a tip-off from police members stationed at the airport regarding four men travelling to Russia via the United Arab Emirates. The suspects were intercepted and removed from the boarding gate before being referred to the Hawks’ Crimes Against the State section.
A preliminary investigation revealed that a South African woman had allegedly been facilitating the travel and recruitment of the men into Russian military service.
Police executed a search and seizure warrant for an additional suspect believed to be involved in facilitating the four men’s recruitment, as well as a fifth individual who had already left South Africa for Russia.
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When the additional suspect arrived at OR Tambo on 27 November, the individual was interviewed and further evidence was uncovered. This led to three more arrests the following day. Electronic devices and two rucksacks were seized for investigation.
The South African Police Service said coordination with intelligence agencies and international partners is ongoing to determine the full extent of the network and identify any further potential security threats.
The four suspects are expected to appear before Kempton Park Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 1 December.
- The Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act, 1998 (FMAA) is an act of the Parliament of South Africa which prohibits mercenary activities both within South Africa and abroad, and prohibits citizens and residents from lending unauthorized foreign military assistance.
