Adviser to Ukrainian ex-President Yanukovych shot dead outside American School in Spain

Spanish authorities said that an adviser to former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych was shot dead on Wednesday when gunmen targeted him outside the American School of Madrid.

Andrii Portnov, 52, was identified as the victim by Spain’s Interior Ministry. He was shot at 9:15 a.m. local time (0715 GMT), authorities said. Local media reported that he was killed after dropping his children off for class.

Witnesses reported that Portnov was shot “several times” in the head and body by more than one gunman when he was getting into a vehicle, police said. The assailants then fled on foot into a wooded area, police said.

Police cordoned off a crime scene in a parking lot around 150 meters (500 feet) outside the gate of the American School of Madrid.

Portnov is a former Ukrainian politician closely tied to Yanukovych, having served as deputy head of the presidential office from 2010 to 2014.

Read more: AP