New details have emerged in the Portnov murder case
18 March 01:42
Ukraine and Spain have agreed to establish a joint international investigative team to investigate the murder of Ukrainian politician and lawyer Andriy Portnov, which took place in Madrid. Kyiv emphasizes its interest in fully establishing the circumstances of the crime. This was announced by Ukraine’s Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko following a working visit to Spain, reports "Komersant Ukrainian"
Ukraine will join the international investigation
According to the head of the Prosecutor General’s Office, the Ukrainian side seeks to establish all the details of the high-profile murder—from the direct perpetrators to the possible organizers.
Ruslan Kravchenko noted:
“It is important for us to establish all the circumstances of this crime—both the perpetrators and the organizers, as well as the possible broader context.”
To this end, a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) will be established, allowing law enforcement agencies from different countries to exchange evidence and coordinate the investigation.
What is known about the cooperation between Ukraine and Spain
Ukraine has already provided the Spanish side with the necessary procedural documents to launch a joint investigation. It is expected that this will help expedite the establishment of all the circumstances of the crime.
In addition to the Portnov case, Ukraine and Spain have agreed to expand cooperation in the following areas:
- combating organized crime
- combating financial crimes
- investigating cybercrimes
- documenting Russia’s war crimes
According to the Prosecutor General’s Office, since 2022, Spain has reviewed 13 requests from Ukraine regarding the extradition of suspects in serious crimes, nine of whom have already been handed over to the Ukrainian side.
What is known about the murder of Andriy Portnov
Former Ukrainian politician Andriy Portnov was shot and killed on May 21 in Madrid near the entrance to the American School.
Meanwhile, the Madrid High Court has restricted the disclosure of details regarding the investigation.
According to media reports, shortly before his death, Portnov was in Ukraine and had meetings with high-ranking law enforcement officials.
It was also reported that in February 2026, a suspect in the direct commission of the crime was detained in Germany.
Why the creation of a joint investigation team is important
Joint Investigation Teams (JITs) are formed in complex criminal cases where the investigation spans multiple jurisdictions.
This format allows for:
- exchange evidence more quickly
- coordinate investigative actions
- identify those involved more effectively
- avoid bureaucratic procedures between countries
It is expected that the creation of such a group will help establish the full picture of the crime and bring those responsible to justice.
