Russia Rules Out Extradition of ‘Spy Suspect’

The Russian side is not even considering the possibility of extraditing its officer Konstantin Pichugin to the Georgian authorities, RIA Novosti news agency reported on September 29, quoting a Russian Embassy official.

Georgia claims Pichugin was part of a Russian military intelligence ring operating in Georgia and is now sheltered in the Russian Troops Headquarters in Tbilisi. The Headquarters has been cordoned off by the Georgian police since September 27, when the Georgian side arrested four other Russian military officers suspected of espionage against Georgia.

Georgian Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili warned on September 27 that Georgia will not lift the security cordon unless Russia extradites Pichugin.

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