Audio By Carbonatix
Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin - who led a short-lived rebellion in Russia last month - is in Russia and not Belarus, the leader of Belarus says.
Prigozhin's whereabouts have been a mystery since the mutiny.
Under the deal to end the stand-off, charges against him were dropped and he was offered a move to Belarus.
But on Thursday Belarus leader Alexander Lukashenko said: "As for Prigozhin, he's in St Petersburg. He is not on the territory of Belarus."
In response to Mr Lukashenko's remarks the Kremlin said it was "not following" Mr Prigozhin's movements.
Mr Lukashenko had helped broker the deal to end the mutiny, and just over a week ago said Prigozhin had arrived in Belarus.
The BBC tracked Prigozhin's private jet flying to Belarus in late June, and returning to Russia the same evening.
It has since made several flights between St Petersburg and Moscow - although it is not clear if Prigozhin has been on board. The BBC also can't verify Mr Lukashenko's claim about the Wagner leader's current location.
On Thursday Mr Lukashenko added that "as far as I know" the rest of the Wagner fighters were still at their bases - which could include eastern Ukraine or a training base in Russia's Krasnodar region.
The Belarus leader said an offer for Wagner to station some of its fighters in Belarus - a prospect that has alarmed neighbouring Nato countries - still stands and he has offered several Soviet-era military sites for their use.
"But Wagner have a different vision," he said, adding: "Of course I won;t tell you about that."
"At present, the issue of their relocation has not been resolved."
Mr Lukashenko - who has ruled Belarus since 1994 and is widely thought to have rigged 2020 elections to maintain power - said he did not see Wagner fighters moving to Belarus as a risk and did not believe they would ever take up arms against his country.
The previous night, Russian state TV appeared to turn on Prigozhin by showing off his wealth and weapons inside a "palace" of his which had been raided by police.
Footage showed bundles of cash, a collection of wigs, a fully-equipped medical treatment room and gold bars.
The Wagner Group is a private army of mercenaries that has been fighting alongside the regular Russian army in Ukraine.
Prigozhin's mutiny saw Wagner mercenaries cross from field camps in Ukraine into the southern city of Rostov-on-Don, seizing command of some military facilities.
Wagner fighters then travelled north towards Moscow, prompting the Kremlin to introduce tighter security in many regions, including the capital.
Russian President Vladimir Putin later said Russian pilots were killed during the mutiny and it also appears to be the case that several aircraft were destroyed.
Mr Putin initially accused the group of treason, but under the deal that brought an end to the mutiny, Prigozhin was promised security and the Russian criminal case against Wagner was dropped.
Its fighters were told they could either sign regular army contracts, go home or head to Belarus.
Recent satellite images have shown what looks like tents being erected at a former military base close to Minsk, but there has been no sign yet that this has happened.
Latest Stories
-
White House bars CNN from travelling with Trump on Air Force One
43 minutes -
Fennis wins second consecutive ITF J60 title in Accra
47 minutes -
Spain beat England in thriller after Kane penalty miss
53 minutes -
GPL 2026/27: Zaidan’s late goal ends Hearts of Oak unbeaten start
57 minutes -
CEOs demand clarity on pay harmonisation, board autonomy as FWSC engages SOEs bosses over IPEC transition
59 minutes -
2026 Women’s Super Cup: FC Savannah, Epiphany Warriors maintain top spots ahead of final group games
1 hour -
‘Is EOCO responsible for determining lawyers’ fees?’ – Baffour Awuah
1 hour -
David Beckles claims second J60 Accra title
2 hours -
No France cocaine suspect linked to Mahama, Vice President’s security details – NACOC
2 hours -
Anwelle Foundation launched in Jirapa to tackle poverty, youth unemployment
2 hours -
Joy Sports Editor Fentuo Tahiru Fentuo to moderate inaugural Music Meets Football Summit in Zambia
2 hours -
Court premises too volatile for Baffour Awuah’s attempted arrest by EOCO – Inusah Fuseini
2 hours -
Drug bust: Under no circumstances will NACOC leadership be compromised – Twum-Barimah
2 hours -
VIDEO: EOCO’s attempted arrest of Baffour Awuah was flawed beyond saving – Law Lecturer
2 hours -
Genuine Ghanaian exporters may face heightened foreign inspections over drug busts – Lawyer
2 hours