Interpol Rejects Russia's Request to Place Ukraine's Kolomoiskiy on Int'l Wanted List

Interpol has declined Russia's request to place Ukrainian oligarch Ihor Kolomoiskiy on the international wanted list, acting head of Russia's Investigative Committee Department Alexander Drymanov said Thursday.

"Our colleagues from Interpol have declined [our request] on Kolomoiskiy," Drymanov said.

He added that Russia's foreign partners noted political implications in the request.

Russia's Investigative Committee will continue proceedings in respect of the case, according to the official.

Kolomoiskiy is Ukraine's fourth-richest person, with a $1.8 billion net worth, and the governor of Dnipropetrovsk Region in central Ukraine.

In July, Russia's Investigative Committee issued international arrest warrants for Kolomoiskiy, as well as Ukraine’s Interior Minister Arsen Avakov, on charges of organizing murders and abductions, using banned means and methods of warfare, and preventing legal journalistic activities.

Russia accused the oligarch of sponsoring a number of Ukrainian armed groups, including the Right Sector nationalist organization and the Azov Battalion which played a key role in the violent attack on the Russian embassy in Kiev in mid-June, causing tensions between Moscow and Kiev to boil over.