European Court of Human Rights Lifts Moratorium on Chechen’s Extradition

(Tbilisi, November 27, 2002, Civil Georgia) The European Court of Human Rights announced in its communiqu? that it will not object against extradition of the 8 Chechen fighters, arrested by the Georgian side earlier, to Russia. 

On November 26 the Court decided to its moratorium on extradition, imposed several months ago.

The Court adopted made decision, on the basis of pledge of the Russian side to respect all rights of the prisoners during detention and not to use the death penalty – says the communiqu?.

On August 3-5, 2002 Georgian border guard troops have arrested two groups (13 men in total) of armed fighters near the Russian state border. All 13 were subjected to primary detention by a court for a period of investigation. In October 5 fighters were handed over to the Russian side. But after this the European Court of Human Rights requested the Georgian authorities to suspend extradition of remaining 8 captives until the court has investigated the case.

Later it has been proved that two prisoners are Georgian citizens. As the Prosecutor General of Georgia Nugzar Gabrichidze stated that these two will not be handed over to Russia.

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