Salvador police arrest Russian ex-military sentenced to life imprisonment

Sergei Kotelnikov, a former Russian military member sentenced to life imprisonment in Russia for drug trafficking and document forgery, was arrested in Salvador, Bahia, on Saturday. The arrest was conducted during ‘Operation Artemis’ by the Integrated Force to Combat Organized Crime (FICCO/BA), with support from the Military Police and Interpol.

Kotelnikov was the subject of an Interpol Red Notice and a warrant issued by Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court (STF). Investigations suggest he was attempting to establish a criminal network in Brazil to distribute weapons, ammunition, and drugs to local organized crime factions. Authorities noted he had previously traveled through other Brazilian states before being located in the Águas Claras neighborhood.

Following his capture, Kotelnikov was taken to the Federal Police headquarters in Salvador. Brazilian authorities intend to notify the Russian government to initiate formal extradition proceedings.