MOSCOW. Oct 7 (Interfax) - Russian Investigative Committee spokesman Vladimir Markin has confirmed that a criminal inquiry on a count of "mercenary activities" had been opened against Russian citizen Roman Zheleznov, who, investigators believe, is now fighting in south-eastern Ukraine within the Azov battalion.
Zheleznov may soon be declared internationally wanted, Markin told Interfax.
"A criminal case has been opened against Zheleznov under Article 359 (participation as a mercenary in an armed conflict or hostilities)," he said.
"Investigators plan to seek Zheleznov's inclusion on the international most wanted list in the near future," he said.
Zheleznov has previously been convicted of robbery and hooliganism by a Russian court, Markin said.
"Russian laws define a mercenary as a person who acts in exchange for a financial reward, is not a citizen of the state involved in this armed conflict or hostilities, does not live permanently on the territory of this state and has not been sent there to fulfill his official duties," Markin said.
Investigators believe that Zheleznov arrived in Ukraine on July 9, 2014, met with the commanders of the Azov battalion, voluntarily joined the battalion and agreed to fight in the armed conflict in Donbas in exchange for a financial reward.
Subsequently, Zheleznov was taught combat tactics, as well as how to use weapons, military hardware and ammunition at the Azov battalion's training center, located on Ukrainian territory, from July 9 to July 26, Russian investigators say.
"Zheleznov was provided with firearms, ammunition and special purpose gear, after which, acting on orders issued by the Azov battalion command, he headed to the territory of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, where he is still fighting as a mercenary along with other soldiers of the Azov battalion," Markin said.
"Zheleznov receives at least 4,000 Ukrainian hryvni every month," he said.
Items crucial to the investigation were confiscated during a search that was recently conducted at Zheleznov's apartment in Moscow.