Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko says Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Russian mercenary group Wagner, is no longer in the country and has returned to Russia.

On Thursday, Mr  Lukashenko, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, said Mr Prigozhin is no longer in the country, as he had returned to Russia.

The Belarusian president also dismissed the suggestion that Moscow may have Mr Prigozhin killed, according to according to VOA.

He said, “If you think that Putin is so vicious and vindictive to finish him off, no, it’s not going to happen.”

Mr Lukashenko’s claim about Mr Prigozhin’s return to Russia could not be immediately verified. Russian media have reported that he was recently seen at his offices in St. Petersburg. 

Last month, Mr Prigozhin marched an estimated 25,000 fighters into Russia in a short-lived ‘mutiny’ against Mr Putin and Russian defence officials. The former chef said it was a “march for justice.”

They captured some strategic military installations in some cities in Russia and were only 200 kilometres from the capital city of Moscow when the advance was halted.

Multiple reports said Mr Lukashenko was the one that intervened and brokered a deal on that day, which made Mr Prigozhin turn back his convoy in exchange for an exile for him and some of his fighters in Belarus without facing any charges for their act declared ‘betrayal’ by Mr Putin.

Wagner had fought alongside the Russian army since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine and was subsequently paid by the Russian Ministry of Defence for their services until the relationship turned sour.

The group had complained about the Russian government’s failure to provide ammunition in the war in Ukraine. It was heightened by the allegations of an alleged bombing of Wagner’s position in Ukraine, which reportedly killed many of the group’s fighters.

Mr Prigozhin said it was deliberately done by the Russian military.