A Russian investor has put a $1 million bounty on Russian President Vladimir Putin's head, asking for Russian military officers to arrest Putin as a war criminal.
"I promise to pay $1,000,000 to the officer(s) who, complying with their constitutional duty, arrest(s) Putin as a war criminal under Russian and international laws," said crypto investor and California-based businessman Alex Konanykhin in a Facebook post on Wednesday.
Konanykhin claimed that Putin had violated the Russian constitution by "eliminating free elections" and "murdering his opponents."
"As an ethnic Russian and a Russia citizen, I see it as my moral duty to facilitate the denazification of Russia. I will continue my assistance to Ukraine in its heroic efforts to withstand the onslaught of Putin's Orda," Konanykhin said, using the Russian word for "horde."
Konanykhin told Insider that he had put up the bounty - which will come from his funds - to show that the military assault on Ukraine is not being conducted in his name.
"If enough other people make similar statements, it may increase the chances of Putin getting arrested and brought to justice," he added.
Konanykhin said has not visited Russia since 1992. When asked about whether he feared reprisal from Putin, the businessman said: "Putin is known to murder his opponents. He has millions of them now."
According to Vice, Konanykhin was at one point worth $300 million. He is now a member of the "Circle of Money" on the television series "Unicorn Hunters", along with Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak and former 'NSync singer Lance Bass.
Konanykhin was granted political asylum in the US in 1999 but ran the risk of being deported when his status was revoked four years later. His asylum status was reinstated in 2007.
Putin's invasion of Ukraine has prompted a backlash from Russian oligarchs and lawmakers. In a rare moment of dissent, three Russian lawmakers also spoke out this week about Putin's invasion of Ukraine.
Latest Stories
-
Finance Minister to unveil Mahama’s 2025 Budget today
11 minutes -
Philippines’ ex-President Rodrigo Duterte arrested at ICC’s request over ‘drugs war’, government says
32 minutes -
Cowbell-GES Independence Day Debate: Gomoa Senior High Technical outshines Serwaa Kesse Girls’ SHS to win contest
48 minutes -
Geisha champions women’s empowerment and progress at 7th National Women’s Summit & Expo
59 minutes -
Musk’s Tesla facilities in US face ‘Takedown’ protests
1 hour -
Charity M. E. Adupong’s vision of promoting food security and empowering women in agricbusiness
1 hour -
Stocks fall in US and Asia over Trump tariffs concerns
2 hours -
Liverpool need best display of season to beat PSG – Slot
2 hours -
King and Kate return to annual Commonwealth service
2 hours -
US unveils new app for ‘self-deportations’
2 hours -
More than 80% of USAID programmes ‘officially ending’
2 hours -
Ayra Starr, Mofe-Damijo to join Idris Elba as cast of ‘Children of Blood and Bone’
3 hours -
Businessman, farmer granted bail for allegedly defrauding estate developer
3 hours -
Nigeria’s anti-graft agency recovers nearly $500m in one year
3 hours -
NDC Sowutuom branch organiser granted GH¢100,000 bail pending appeal
3 hours