Suspect in the murder of Andriy Portnov detained in Germany
The Spanish National Police announced on February 25 the arrest of a suspect in Germany in the high-profile murder of Ukrainian politician Andriy Portnov. The man was arrested in the city of Heinsberg on a European warrant. According to the investigation, he opened fire on Portnov near an educational institution in the settlement of Pozuelo de Alarcón in May 2025.
The arrest was the result of a joint international operation involving agents investigating homicides from the Madrid Police Headquarters. The operation was carried out in close cooperation with the German Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA).
Although the Spanish police did not name the victim, it became known that he was a Ukrainian citizen with the initials A.P., who was shot dead on May 21, 2025, near a school in a prestigious area of Madrid. Portnov lived there with his family, and his children studied at the local American School.
Law enforcement officials reported that the killer shot the politician in the back at least nine times, after which he disappeared from the scene. The investigation showed that the crime could have been committed by at least three people – the shooter and two accomplices who helped him escape.
A European arrest warrant and a separate search warrant for the detainee’s home have already been issued. The Spanish side reported that the available evidence confirms the detainee’s suspicion of having committed this crime.
A court decision classified the incident investigation. Spanish law enforcement officials are considering two main motives for the crime – political and criminal, in particular, the deceased’s possible ties to organized crime groups and potential financial obligations.
The investigation is ongoing. Spain has initiated the extradition procedure for the detainee, and international cooperation in this case is ongoing.
