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Cuba may extradite ultra-radical nationalist Martsinkevich to Russia within few days

Activist is accused under Article 282 Part 2 of Russia’s penal code for instigation of hatred or strife and denigration of human dignity with use of violence or a threat to use it

© ITAR-TASS/Yury Mashkov

HAVANA, January 19, 1:29 /ITAR-TASS/. Activist of ultra-radical organisations Maxim Martsinkevich may be extradited to Russia from the Republic of Cuba within a few days, the Russian embassy in the Caribbean island country told Itar-Tass on Saturday.

“On January 17, neo-nationalist and leader of the banned union Format-18 Maxim Martsinkevich, being on international wanted list, was detained in Cuba,” the Russian embassy said in its statement. “The issue of his extradition to Russia will be settled within a few days. This fact confirms once again effectiveness of cooperation between Moscow and Havana in law enforcement sphere in the spirit of bilateral strategic partnership and high professional level of specific Cuban agencies,” the statement reads.

Martsinkevich is accused under Article 282 Part 2 of Russia’s penal code for instigation of hatred or strife and denigration of human dignity with use of violence or a threat to use it. The maximum penalty for this crime makes up to five years in prison.

Detectives said that opening of a criminal case had been motivated by Martsinkevich’s posting of three videos in social networks. The videos contained “statements and appeals seeking to fuel inter-ethnic hatred or strife.” The videos were removed when Martsinkevich was staying in Ukraine.

On February 14, 2013, Martsinkevich was detained in Belarusian capital, Minsk, after a brawl with three Belarusian antifascists near clinic New Vision. A criminal case was opened for hooliganism with use of weapons. On February 24, he was released from the detention centre on a promise to show up in court.

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