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Konanykhin was granted political asylum in the US in 1999 but ran the risk of being deported when his status was revoked four years later.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
-
Bahamas World Relays: Ghana paired with world and Olympic champions in Heat 1
7 hours -
Bahamas 2024 Relays: Star-studded cast ready to put on pre-Paris show
8 hours -
Bahamas Relays preview: clash of global title-winning teams in men’s 4x100m
8 hours -
Arsenal keeper Raya wins Premier League Golden Glove
8 hours -
Iñaki Williams scores twice in Athletic Bilbao’s win over Getafe
8 hours -
Argument with Salah ‘completely resolved’ – Klopp
9 hours -
Reus to leave Dortmund at the end of the season
9 hours -
Uefa confirms 26-man squads for Euro 2024
9 hours -
Teacher Unions press home demands for the new allowances
9 hours -
Media’s failure to hold government accountable for ‘galamsey’ alarming – Mahama
9 hours -
Keta Presbytery urges Akufo-Addo to assent to anti-LGBTQ+ Bill
9 hours -
Ghanaian midfielder Lawrence Ofori nets maiden goal of the season with stunner against Vizela
9 hours -
Community fearful after off-duty policemen shot dead at East Trasacco
10 hours -
Dext Technology partners KNUST to train basic school teachers on STEM
10 hours -
My efforts led to remarkable transformation in Appiatse – Lands Minister
10 hours