12 November 2012, 19:00
Georgian Ministry of Justice refuses to extradite Akhmed Chataev to Russia
The Georgian side will not extradite to the Russian Federation Akhmed Chataev, a Russian citizen, an ethnic Chechen, who was detained during a special operation to eliminate an illegal armed formation (IAF). This was announced today by the Ministry of Justice of Georgia.
Let us remind you that on September 8, the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) reported the detention in the Lopota Gorge of Akhmed Chataev, the Russian citizen, one of the members of the armed grouping, against which in late August, the special operation was conducted near the Dagestani section of the Georgian-Russian border.
Akhmed Chataev is accused of illegal purchase, possession and carrying of explosive device, and if his guilt is proved, he could face 3-5 years of imprisonment. At present, Akhmed Chataev is awaiting trial in a prison hospital. The court hearings on his case will be resumed on November 15.
"At the moment, the Ministry of Justice of Georgia prepares the documents, related to the demand of the Russian Federation for extradition; however, the Georgian side will not extradite Akhmed Chataev," the agency "News-Georgia" quotes the statement of the Ministry of Justice of Georgia as reporting.
The Ministry of Justice has also appealed to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), asking to provide information regarding the earlier recommendation, issued to the authorities of Ukraine, to refrain from extraditing Akhmed Chataev to Russia, the RIA "Novosti" reports.
