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Suspect in killing of former Ukrainian politician in Madrid arrested in Germany

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on February 25, 2026

1 min read

· Last updated: April 2, 2026

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MADRID, Feb 25 (Reuters) - A person suspected of killing a former Ukrainian politician outside a school in a wealthy Madrid suburb in 2025 has been arrested in Germany by Spanish and German police,

Germany arrests suspect in Madrid killing of ex-Ukrainian politician

Spanish–German Police Coordination

Arrest in Germany Linked to Madrid Killing

MADRID, Feb 25 (Reuters) - A person suspected of killing a former Ukrainian politician outside a school in a wealthy Madrid suburb in 2025 has been arrested in Germany by Spanish and German police, Spain's National Police said on Wednesday.

Portnov’s Political Background

Andriy Portnov was a senior aide to a pro-Russian former Ukrainian president, Viktor Yanukovich, who was ousted in a popular uprising in 2014.

Heinsberg Arrest and Suspect Role

The Spanish police released no details about the detained suspect, saying only that the investigation points to them as the person who fired the shots. The suspect was arrested in Heinsberg.

Investigations in Ukraine

Portnov left for Russia in 2014 and later faced investigations in Ukraine on accusations of treason and embezzlement. He was placed under European Union sanctions, though both the charges and sanctions were eventually dropped.

2021 Treasury Designation

Sanctions and Allegations

The U.S. Treasury Department added Portnov to its sanctions list in 2021, saying he had "cultivated extensive connections to Ukraine's judicial and law enforcement apparatus through bribery".

(Reporting by Emma Pinedo; Editing by Alison Williams)

Key Takeaways

  • Spanish and German police arrested a suspect in Heinsberg, Germany.
  • The detainee is believed to have fired the shots that killed Andriy Portnov in 2025 outside a Madrid school.
  • Spain’s National Police have not released the suspect’s identity.
  • Portnov was a former aide to Viktor Yanukovych; EU sanctions were later dropped, while U.S. sanctions were imposed in 2021.
  • Investigators continue probing possible accomplices and motives.

References

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main topic?
Authorities arrested a suspect in Germany over the 2025 killing of former Ukrainian politician Andriy Portnov outside a Madrid school. Police say the investigation indicates the detainee fired the shots.
Where was the arrest made and when did the killing occur?
The suspect was detained in Heinsberg, Germany. The killing happened on May 21, 2025, near the American School of Madrid in the suburb of Pozuelo de Alarcón.
Who was Andriy Portnov and what legal issues surrounded him?
Portnov was a former senior aide to ex-Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych. He previously faced investigations in Ukraine; EU sanctions were later lifted, while the U.S. Treasury sanctioned him in 2021.

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