Ukraine: Suspect Detained in Madrid Killing of Former Official Andriy Portnov
Kyiv – Ukrainian authorities have confirmed the detention of a suspect in the May 2025 murder of Andriy Portnov, a former Ukrainian politician and lawyer, in Madrid, Spain. The detainee, a Ukrainian citizen originally from the Donetsk region, was apprehended in Germany, according to Ukrainian Truth, citing sources within Ukrainian intelligence services.
Details of the Arrest and Investigation
The suspect is alleged to have acted in concert with two accomplices. One accomplice, identified as the detainee’s brother, is currently believed to be hiding in Russia. Both brothers were reportedly armed with firearms during the attack on Portnov. A third individual, suspected of providing the killers with an escape route, is likewise being sought by authorities.
Background: The Murder of Andriy Portnov
Andriy Portnov was shot and killed on May 21, 2025, near the American School in Pozuelo de Alarcón, a suburb of Madrid. He was ambushed while preparing to enter his vehicle. The murder occurred in the parking lot of the school, which his children attended, and near his residence.
Who Was Andriy Portnov?
Andriy Portnov (1973-2025) was a Ukrainian lawyer and politician with a controversial career. He served as the head of the legal department for Yulia Tymoshenko’s election headquarters from 2005 to 2010. From April 2010 to February 2014, he held a senior position within the Presidential Administration of Viktor Yanukovych, eventually becoming First Deputy Head of the Administration. He was also a member of the Council of the National Bank of Ukraine from 2010 to 2014. Wikipedia
Portnov’s involvement in the adoption of anti-protest laws during the Euromaidan protests in 2014 led to his departure from Ukraine following the revolution. He subsequently resided in Russia and Vienna before returning to Ukraine in May 2019. Wikipedia He faced numerous criminal cases, many of which were later dismissed.
Following the Euromaidan revolution, Portnov pursued legal action against activists involved in the protests, which led to him fleeing to Russia. BBC News
In 2023, Portnov filed a lawsuit against the Kyiv Independent’s chief editor, Olga Rudenko, alleging defamation for referencing him as “pro-Russian.” Courts initially ruled in Portnov’s favor, but Rudenko filed a cassation appeal, which was still under review at the time of his death. The Kyiv Independent
Ongoing Investigation
The investigation into Portnov’s murder is ongoing, with authorities working to apprehend the remaining accomplices and determine the motive behind the killing. The case has drawn significant attention in Ukraine, given Portnov’s controversial past and connections to both pro-Western and pro-Russian political figures.