Advocate does not rule out Lapshin's extradition to Russia or Ukraine

The decision to appeal against the verdict handed down in Baku to blogger Alexander Lapshin will depend on his personal will, said Eduard Chernin, his advocate. In his opinion, an appeal should be submitted for Lapshin's complete acquittal, and in case it is rejected, one may expect his extradition to Russia or Ukraine.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that today a Baku court has found Lapshin guilty of illegally crossing the Azerbaijani border, and sentenced him to three years in a general security colony. At the same time, the court dropped the charge against the blogger under Article 281.2 of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan (open appeals against the state).

Eduard Chernin has assessed the course of investigation as "normal".

"The court has rather objectively approached the criminal case. What we asked the court to exclude at least by 50%, they have excluded," the advocate Chernin told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

When asked whether they will appeal against the verdict, the advocate said that it would depend on Mr Lapshin himself.

"My personal opinion is that an appeal should be lodged for complete acquittal," he has added.

Eduard Chernin has also noted that Lapshin may be extradited for serving his sentence to the countries, where he is a citizen. "Azerbaijan has no such agreement with Israel, but it has it with Russia and Ukraine," he explained.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.