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Writer/blogger Bagirov wanted by Moldova not to be extradited

The Tverskoi inter-district prosecutors office decided not to detain Bagirov
Photo www.pik.tv
Photo www.pik.tv

MOSCOW, February 1 (Itar-Tass) —— Moscow’s prosecutors office confirmed that well-known writer and blogger Eduard Bagirov wanted by Moldova for having committed crimes on its territory is not to be extradited. After his place of residence in Moscow was established he was not detained.

Moscow prosecutors noted that officials of the Main Agency of the Russian Interior Ministry for Moscow established the other day the place of residence of Eduard Bagirov wanted by Moldova’s law enforcement bodies for crimes committed on Moldova’s territory.

Moscow’s Tverskoi inter-district prosecutors office noted that according to documents presented, Bagirov is a citizen of the Russian Federation and, under Article 61 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation, is not to be extradited to a foreign state. “The Tverskoi inter-district prosecutors office decided not to detain Bagirov,” Moscow prosecutors noted.

Bagirov was accused in Moldova of involvement in mass rioting in April 2009, when representatives of liberal opposition, annoyed at the victory of the Communists in the election, staged protests that led to raids on the buildings of parliament and the presidential residence. He was detained in Chisinau in June 2011.

Bagirov complained thorough his lawyer of having health problems and of bad conditions in which he was held and said he was under pressure. The investigation against him was concluded on October 12 and, on preliminary charges, he faced from four to eight years in prison. Next day the court ruled to place him under house arrest. A scandal broke out on October 19, when it was found that he had fled. A suspect of assisting Bagirov’s flight was detained in Moldova on November 1.

Upon arriving in Moscow Bagirov gave an interview to Russian journalist Sergei Minayev. He said pressure had been brought on him to make him testify about Mark Tkachuk, one of the leaders of the opposition Party of Communists, being involved in the April unrest.