Russia Asks France to Extradite Nikolay Koblyakov Mind the horns!

The Russian State has formally asked France to extradite dissident Nikolay Koblyakov who has French nationality. This was reported by the NGO “Russia – Liberty”.

The reasons for the new extradition request are similar to those for which he was arrested in Bulgaria in late July 2014. They were, however, rejected by the Bulgarian Court and Koblyakov returned to France.

The renewal of the persecution against Koblyakov is politically motivated, says his lawyer Kamelia Mentieva. Ivan Terel, a lawyer of “Russia – Freedom”, highlights what was said in the prosecution opening statement at the trial for extradition to Bulgaria: “Russia does not give sufficient guarantees of a fair trial and protection of human rights”.

Koblyakov, who continues to be involved in actions against Putin’s regime in Paris, is obviously a thorn in the side of the Russian government which is undertaking another attempt to arrest him despite the fact that he is now a French citizen.

“The French prosecution operates exclusively within the law and is obligated to consider the request from Russia. Diplomatic pressure from Russia has been exerted,” Koblyakov commented on the phone for Bivol. “Russia has approached France with an extradition demand after Bulgaria refused,” he said. The Paris Court will consider the request for extradition on September 30.

Bivol is following the case “Koblyakov” from the beginning and pointed out in one of its investigations the strange coincidences in the activity of the Bulgarian authorities which entered Koblyakov in the system for wanted persons on the same day when he boarded a plane from Paris.

Koblyakov was listed in the wanted system of Interpol by the Interpol Moscow Bureau on April 1, 2014, two days after he responded positively to an invitation to visit Bulgaria, sent by the company “Galaxy Group”, connected to Plovdiv-based manufacturers of alcohol and cigarettes known as “Peshtatsite”. “Galaxy Group” categorically denied having any relation to “the actions of the Bulgarian and international law enforcement agencies” in connection with Koblyakov.

The Interior Ministry refused more detailed information about the history of the operative and search measures against Koblyakov, citing confidentiality commitments to Interpol.

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