Odisha: Russian man, thought to be missing, detained by GRP for questioning

According to media reports, Andrew Glagolev, 58, who was seen holding a placard against Russian President Vladimir Putin and his war on Ukraine, was believed to be missing.

Glagolev’s alleged disappearance triggered fresh controversy after the mysterious deaths of two Russians, including lawmaker Pavel Antov, a well-known Putin critic, at a hotel in Odisha’s Rayagada.

However, the GRP has now said that Glagolev had not gone missing, Indian Express reported.

Inspector-in-charge of GRP police station, Bhubaneswar, Jayadev Biswajit told the news publication that Glagolev has been detained for questioning.

The official said that Glagolev had come to India in 2016 and had been staying in Odisha, mostly in Puri, for the last three months.

Biswajit said Glagolev has applied to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for asylum in India, according to the report.

The UNHCR has forwarded the application to the Government of India, he said.

He arrived with a six months tourist visa but apparently overstayed, the sources said.

In November, when Glagolev was spotted at Bhubaneswar station, he only verified his passport and the application to UNHCR, not his visa, Biswajit said, the report stated.

He added that nothing suspicious has been found so far.

Whether he will be rehabilitated or deported will be decided following verification of the documents by experts, he said.

Police are also in touch with the Russian consulate general in Kolkata, he said., the report added.