Supreme Court Delays Chechens’ Extradition

(Tbilisi, December 25, 2002. Civil Georgia) – Today Georgian Supreme Court ruled positively on appeal of the three alleged Chechen militants.

Thus their extradition to Russia is delayed. Supreme Court ruling cancelled the decision of the district court of Tbilisi, which satisfied demand of the prosecution to hand over the three Chechens to Russian.

The case is returned for reconsideration by the Mtatsminda-Krtsanisi district court of Tbilisi. Should the court rule for extradition again, the defense can appeal to the Supreme Court once again.

Supreme Court thus satisfied the demands fo the human rights activists, who on December 24 urged the Georgian authorities and the Chairman of the Supreme Court to suspend extradition, arguing that the decision would violate the Constitution of Georgia.

Human rights advocacy NGOs claim that Chechens’ life would be in danger in case of extradition to Russia.

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