Russia joins protocol to European Extradition Convention

MOSCOW, February 24. /TASS/. Russian Prosecutor General Yuri Chaika signed on behalf of the Russian Federation on Tuesday the Fourth Additional Protocol to the European Convention on Extradition of 1957 to simplify the procedures for the transfer of wanted persons. The document was signed at the Council of Europe headquarters in Strasbourg. The press service of the Russian Prosecutor General’s office told TASS that "the protocol was developed within the framework of the Russian initiative to modernise the European Conventions on co-operation in criminal matters and with the active participation of representatives of the Russian Prosecutor General’s Office." The protocol introduces a number of changes to the Convention of 1957, which will promote efficiency of co-operation on extradition issues. "In particular, deciding the extradition issue, the requested side under certain circumstances may not take into account the limitation period provided for by its legislation, while according to the current wording of Article 10 of the Convention, the statute of limitations of both the requesting and the requested party is taken into account," the Prosecutor General’s Office said. A number of rules is aimed at easing formalities for making and forwarding requests for the extradition and transit of extradited persons; they also create the regulatory framework for the use of electronic means of communication for requesting extradition /extradition requests at present are submitted in writing through diplomatic channels/. The Russian Prosecutor General’s Office said that "already 12 countries, including Austria, the UK, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Switzerland, Sweden and others have joined" the Russian side’s initiative. Read more