Former Ukrainian official Andriy Portnov was killed in the suburbs of Madrid

Former Ukrainian politician and legal advisor Andrij Portnov was found dead in his rented apartment nearby Madrid, it was confirmed by a source close to the Spanish police. According to preliminary information, Portnow was killed by a firearm, and his body was found with multiple gunshot wounds.

The local police have launched an investigation, while the Spanish Ministry of the Interior states that the motive for the crime is not yet known, but they do not rule out the possibility of a politically motivated attack. Portnov has lived outside Ukraine in recent years, mostly in Austria and Spain, after becoming the subject of criticism for his closeness to the regime of former President Viktor Yanukovych.

His lawyer stated that Portnov was staying in Spain for security reasons, as he claimed that he was threatened with persecution by the Ukrainian authorities. The media report that the Spanish police have already requested international assistance in the investigation, and among the theories discussed is a connection with former affairs in Ukraine and Russia.

Portnov was the deputy head of the administration of the President of Ukraine from 2010 to 2014 and one of the key legal strategists of the Yanukovych administration. After the changes in Ukraine, investigations were launched against him for alleged abuse of office, but some processes were later suspended.

Official confirmation of identity, as well as autopsy results, are expected in the coming days.