Russia Against Georgian Court’s Decision to Suspend Chechens’ Extradition

(Tbilisi, December 27, 2002. Civil Georgia) – Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Alexander Yakovenko stated Georgian Supreme Court’s decision to suspend three alleged Chechen militants extradition to Russia proves that the Georgian authorities “act in terrorists’ favor.”

“Russia demands from Georgia to act in accordance with Chisineau agreement [between Shevardnadze and Putin on terrorists’ extradition] and hand over Chechen terrorists,” Alexander Yakovenko stated in the interview to the Moscow-based Ekho Moskvi radio station.

Georgian Supreme Court’s December 25 ruling cancelled the decision of the district court of Tbilisi, which satisfied demand of the prosecution to hand over the three Chechens to Russian.

The case is returned for reconsideration by the Mtatsminda-Krtsanisi district court of Tbilisi. Should the court rule for extradition again, the defense can appeal to the Supreme Court once again.

This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)