Rights defenders treat Chechens’ extradition from Austria to Russia as unsafe

The extradition from Austria to Russia of the Chechens who had sought asylum in order to avoid forced mobilization poses a threat to their safety, analysts believe.

Experts have commented to the "Caucasian Knot" on the possible consequences of the deportation of Chechens from Austria to Russia.

If applicants are over 30 years old, then they are really not at risk of being called up for military service, a source from the NGO "Appeal to Conscience" has expressed this opinion.

"We don’t see any mobilization calls since the fall of 2022, as was the case then (but sometimes people are deceived when recruiting for a contract, saying that they are being ‘mobilized’). But there’s still a threat to life and health. Formally, the conclusion of a contract is voluntary. But in fact, they are using pressure, deception and violence when recruiting into the army – and we know such cases in Chechnya; and it is extremely difficult to terminate a contract or resign from the military service," the source has added.

The NGO has also noted that a contract can be concluded with any person over 18 years old. "There is a high probability that in Russia they will be handed over to authorities and forced to sign a contract in the voluntarily-compulsorily way," the source has emphasized.

At the same time, the NGO has explained that those deported won’t face any punishment for desertion, since they were not "military personnel at the time of escape."

In the opinion of Oyub Titiev, a human rights defender, the life and health of anyone deported from Europe to Russia is in danger.

Svetlana Gannushkina*, Chairperson of the "Civic Assistance" Committee*, while noting that natives of Chechnya who are deported and extradited to Russia are almost always picked up from the border by a specially called convoy from Chechnya, said that in the future the situation may develop in different ways.

"They may be charged with a criminal case on charges that didn’t exist when they were extradited from Austria. They may also be pressured to sign a contract and send them to combat operations – even people well over 30 are sent there," she said.

Mr Titiev has added that Chechens are often deported with the formulation of a threat to Austria's national security, and in many cases without due reason.

"According to the Austrian Government, they are too old to be conscripted ... But at the same time, they pose a threat to Austria's national security. In my opinion, this is absurd," the human rights defender has noted.

Ms Gannushkina* has called such Austria’s accusations "ridiculous." "This is probably due to the fact that they are Muslims. But if a person poses a threat, then what kind of threat? If he has committed something, where are the investigative actions? There are only sweeping allegations," she has stated.

This was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on May 28, 2025 at 10:49 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

*Included by the Russian Ministry of Justice (MoJ) into the register of foreign agents.