Russian Andrey Yakunin accused of flying with drones – Dagsavisen

He writes northern Lights. The trial against him is scheduled for November 29 in the district court of Senja and Nord-Troms.

Yakunin is the son of a Russian businessman linked to Vladimir Putin and was arrested on Monday 17 October in Hammerfest. He is accused of illegally piloting a drone in Svalbard.

Sanctions regulations prohibit Russians from using planes and drones in Norway. The prosecution claims that he remained in Svalbard from 3 August to 6 September of this year and repeatedly flew a drone during this period.

He was on vacation

Yakunin himself said he went on vacation to Svalbard and Norway almost every year since 2016. According to his lawyers, it’s because he is mountaineering and sailing and is an active outdoorman with a passion for the Arctic.

The Russian, who also has British citizenship, admitted flying a hobby drone in Svalbard, but believes it was not illegal.

The district court originally wanted to release Yakunin, but the PST appealed to the Hålogaland Court of Appeals and has since been detained. The Court of Appeals also concluded that he should be held in jail until trial.

The case continues below the video

Case of drones in western Norway

Already on November 15 another drone case will begin in which a Russian is accused.

The prosecution will demand an unconditional prison sentence for the man in his 30s accused of filming with a drone in western Norway.

He was arrested in October after flying a drone in Ullensvang. The Russian is accused of flying a drone in seven different locations, according to NRK.

He admitted flying a drone in Hardanger, but claims he didn’t know it was illegal. The defendant explained that he had photographed nature for private use – and denies any criminal responsibility.

State Attorney Marit Formo said so Bergens Tidende who is not prosecuted for photographing critical or military infrastructure, but for violating section 2 of the Sanctions Act, which are Norway’s sanctions after the war in Ukraine.

[ Professor: – Rapporten setter hele trygdeskandalen i et nytt lys ]

Keep up to date. Receive a daily newsletter from Dagsavisen

[ Nå må du kanskje vente lenger for å få reise billigere i Oslo ]