Norwegian court rules to release son of former Russian Railways head Yakunin; despite that, he will remain in custody until prosecutor’s office appeal is considered

A Norwegian court has ruled to release Andrey Yakunin, the son of ex-head of the state-owned company Russian Railways Vladimir Yakunin, arrested for illegal use of drones on Svalbard, NRK broadcasting company reports.

Despite the court’s decision, Yakunin will remain in custody.

“The prosecutor’s office has appealed the case in the court of Appeals, and Yakunin won’t be set free until the case is tried there,” NRK reports.

Yakunin was detained on 17 October. The next day, the court ruled to arrest him for two weeks. However, Yakunin appealed the ruling. On 27 October, the Appeals court of Hålogaland ruled to release him from custody.

Yakunin’s defenders insisted that the punishment measures introduced against other Russian nationals cannot be applied to Yakunin, as he has UK citizenship.

Nevertheless, the prosecution successfully appealed his release, and Yakunin remained in custody.