State Duma Ratifies Extradition Convention with Algeria for Criminals

14 December 2023

During its plenary session, the State Duma ratified a convention between Russia and Algeria concerning the extradition of criminals. President Vladimir Putin introduced the document on December 6, and it was signed in Moscow on June 15, 2023. The convention establishes a framework for the extradition of individuals upon request, with the aim of facilitating prosecution or the execution of a sentence for an extraditable offense.

 

According to the convention, an extraditable offense is defined as an act that, under the laws of both countries, carries a penalty of imprisonment for a minimum of one year or a more severe penalty. In cases where extradition is sought for a person convicted and wanted for sentence enforcement, extradition may be granted if the remaining sentence is at least six months, with the possibility of exceptions by mutual agreement. The document outlines procedures for making and certifying extradition requests.

 

The convention explicitly states that, in instances of tax and financial offenses, extradition cannot be refused solely on the grounds that the laws of one of the parties do not mirror the same types of taxes or duties.

 

Furthermore, the document outlines grounds for refusal of extradition. These include situations where the person named in the request is a national of the requested party, if extradition may be deemed detrimental to the sovereignty, security, or public order of one of the countries, if the person has already been convicted or acquitted by a court in the requested state, or if the requested party believes the individual is facing persecution based on race, religion, sex, nationality, or political opinion. Importantly, the convention prohibits extradition for the purpose of carrying out the death penalty.

 

 

GSV "Russia - Islamic World"

Based on materials from TASS