Russian MoJ promises to initiate extradition of Alexander Lapshin at his request

The Russian Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is ready to initiate the extradition to Russia of blogger Alexander Lapshin, sentenced in Azerbaijan, if he files such a request. This was reported by the press service of the Russian MoJ.

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).

After the verdict to Alexander Lapshin has been pronounced, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has reported that Russia will continue to protect the blogger's rights, the RIA "Novosti" reports today and also refers to the position of the Russian MoJ regarding the extradition of Alexander Lapshin from Azerbaijan.

The Russian MoJ has explained that in accordance with the Convention on extradition of persons sentenced to deprivation of liberty, the sentenced man, his family members, his legal representative or advocate may file a request to the Ministry of Justice for Russia or Azerbaijan. The conditions for extradition include the entry of the court verdict into legal force and the consent of the sentenced man himself.

"When the verdict pronounced by the court of the Republic of Azerbaijan comes into force and the competent authorities of Russia receive a request from the Russian citizen about his extradition, the Russian MoJ will initiate a procedure for extradition of the sentenced person in accordance with the provisions of the 1998 Convention," the press service of the Russian MoJ reports.

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