Russia says criminal case over armed rebellion closed

MOSCOW - The criminal investigation into an armed rebellion by head of the Wagner military group Yevgeny Prigozhin has been officially closed, RIA Novosti reported Tuesday, citing the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB).

"During the investigation of the criminal case initiated by the investigative department of the FSB on June 23 ... on the fact of an armed rebellion, it was established that on June 24 its participants stopped their actions aimed at committing a crime," the FSB said.

The FSB said that after taking into account all circumstances relevant to the investigation, it had made the decision to close the criminal case on Tuesday.

The Russian defense ministry said Tuesday that preparations are underway for the transfer of heavy military equipment formerly belonging to the Wagner military group to the Russian armed forces, according to RIA Novosti.