Balkans | An Albanian court rejected Russia’s extradition request

The Elbasan Court of First Instance in Albania has rejected the extradition request made by the Russian authorities for Russian citizen Svetlana Timofeeva, one of three Russian and Ukrainian citizens who attempted to enter a military facility in the country on August 20, 2022.

The statement issued by the Elbasan Court of First Instance stated that the court rejected the extradition request made by the Russian authorities to extradite Timofeeva.

The statement stated that Timofeeva did not agree to hand her over to Russia and demanded that she remain in Albanian territory.

Timofeeva is currently being held in Albania as part of a security measure.

In January, the Russian authorities demanded the extradition of Timofeeva from Albania as a wanted person for “illegal obtaining information constituting a state secret.”

It happened

On August 20, 2022, Russian citizen Timofeeva and two other Russian and Ukrainian people were arrested while trying to enter a military facility in Albania, and two Albanian soldiers, who were exposed to the paralyzing gas used by these people, were injured.

The Elbasan Court of First Instance had decided to detain two Russians and a Ukrainian as a security precaution in the hearing held on August 24.

In September, the Dirac Court of Appeal decided to continue detaining 3 foreign nationals.

The detained foreigners are accused of “attacking an officer on duty” and “giving and obtaining classified information” with collaboration.

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