52 extraditions to Russia in 2008

The Russian bureau of Interpol has established a record number of extraditions in 2008: 52 criminals hiding from the police abroad have been sent back to Russia.

The results achieved in 2008 doubled the figure of 2006.

Five more extraditions are expected soon, the chief of the National central bureau of Interpol at the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia Timur Lahonin announced at a news news conference on Thursday December 18th.

“This year has turned out the most effective on extraditions within the time of the bureau’s existence. The presented figure is comparable to the results of our western colleagues”, Lahonin stated.

He hopes that next year the positive tendency in this sphere will continue. “Now nearly 80 people charged with different crimes in Russia and now hiding abroad, are waiting for the courts’ decision on their extradition and deportation to Russia”, Lahonin said.

This year criminals were extradited from 21 countries, including Iran and Lebanon – for the first time.

Lahonin said that 18 from the 52 extradited criminals were charged with fraud, eight were wanted for murder, three for theft and other three for illegal drug trafficking.

In October it was informed that from Russian party 1202 people are in the international wanted list, more than 120 of them are accused of terrorism.