South African police arrest 9 foreigners for trying to join Russia-Ukraine war

South African police have arrested nine foreign nationals suspected of trying to travel to Russia to fight in the war between Russia and UkraineJOHANNESBURG -- Nine foreign nationals suspected of violating South African mercenary laws by trying to travel from South Africa to Russia to fight in the war between Russia and Ukraine have been arrested, police said Monday.Police arrested the suspects, aged between 20 and 26, late Sunday night at O.R. Tambo Airport and at a nearby hotel in Johannesburg’s Bruma neighborhood, according to Col. Katlego Mogale.The suspects were preparing to board flights to Russia when officers intervened after an investigation involving Interpol and local and international law enforcement agencies, police said. They did not identify the suspects’ nationalities nor which side they allegedly planned to join. The nine are expected to appear before the Kempton Park Magistrates’ Court on charges relating to alleged violations of South Africa’s Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act. The law prohibits mercenary activity and regulates military assistance to parties in foreign conflicts, including recruitment and training. Its provisions also apply to foreign...