Court Rules to Extradite Two out of Three Alleged Chechen Militants

(Tbilisi. March 13, 2003. Civil Georgia) – According to the Tbilisi court’s ruling two alleged Chechen militants Gelogaev and Elkhajiev, wanted by Moscow, should be extradited to Russia, while the third one – Alkhanov’s extradition would be illegal as he has a refugee status granted by Georgia.

The three Chechens were among a group of 13 armed men detained last August by the Georgian border guards after illegally crossing the border from Russia into Georgia in possession of arms. Their five companions were extradited to Russia last October.

Lawyers of the three Chechens demanded to cancel the decision of the Georgian General Prosecutor’s Office considering their extradition.

The lawyers intend to appeal the Supreme Court and will try to suspend extradition of two Chechens.

During the trial representatives of the Chechen community in Georgia were holding a protest rally in front of the court demanding to suspend Chechen militant suspects extradition.

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