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Germany hands over to Russia suspected mastermind of Argentine cocaine smuggling — lawyer

At the moment Andrei Kovalchuk is in the Matrosskaya Tishina pre-trial detention center, he has been charged with smuggling drugs, the lawyer said

© Argentine Security Minister via AP

MOSCOW, July 30. /TASS/. Germany has handed over to Russia suspected mastermind of smuggling cocaine from Argentina to Russia Andrei Kovalchuk, lawyer Vladimir Zherebenkov told TASS on Monday.

"Kovalchuk has been extradited from Germany to Russia. At the moment he is in the Matrosskaya Tishina pre-trial detention center, he has been charged with smuggling drugs," the lawyer said.

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The lawyer gave no details on when Kovalchuk had arrived in Russia. His lawyers in Germany appealed against this decision saying they had not been notified about the extradition.

In late February, Russia’s Foreign Ministry reported that the law enforcement agencies from Russia and Argentina had conducted a joint sting operation to bust a delivery channel of a large batch of narcotics to the European market. The drugs (362 kg), found in a building of Russia’s Embassy in Buenos Aires, belonged to a member of the diplomatic mission, who had wrapped up his business trip.

Law enforcement officials from both countries detained citizens of Russia and Argentina on suspicion of being involved in drug trafficking. Three were detained in Russia (Vladimir Kalmykov, Ishtimir Khudzhamov and Ali Abyanov), two in Argentina and one in Germany (suspected mastermind Andrei Kovalchuk).

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Celinda Sosa remarked that her visit to Moscow "aims to strengthen the political dialogue" between Russia and Bolivia "in accordance with the principles shared" by both countries

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Russia appreciates Bolivia’s push to defend sovereignty, Lavrov says

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Russian draft UNSC statement on Nord Streams sabotaged by West — Russian diplomat

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Kiev's attacks on ZNPP may trigger another Chernobyl — Zaporozhye governor

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The report hasn’t been officially confirmed

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International cooperation needed to investigate Nord Stream incidents — Russian diplomat

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57% of companies replaced at least one foreign service with a Russian one over the past few years, the analysts noted

Negative trends still on rise in US-China relations — top Chinese diplomat

The United States should not cross the red lines with regard to China’s sovereignty and security, Wang Yi added

Erdogan’s May 9 visit to US postponed to more convenient date — Foreign Ministry

"The high-level dialogue between Turkey and the US will continue," the spokesman Oncu Keceli said

Russia grateful to DPRK for unconditional support of special operation in Ukraine — MFA

Ivan Zhelokhovtsev said that the agreements that were reached during the DPRK leader's visit to Russia represent "evidence of the mutual desire of the sides to consistently implement and expand the rich heritage" that was passed down from previous generations

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The strike was conducted by Israel Air Force’s aircraft in the area of Meidoun in Lebanon

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Police checks reports of bomb allegedly planted at Russian embassy in Brazil — newspaper

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Swiss conference on Ukraine undermines European security — Russian diplomat

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Zelensky's presidential powers to expire May 21 — Ukrainian legislator

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Miguel Salgado’s ‘Shame’ wins main prize at Moscow International Film Festival

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Press review: NATO flexes muscles near Russian border and South China Sea runs hot

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US can send Ukraine Patriot air defense systems currently deployed in other regions

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Staff shortage cannot be covered by labor migration — Putin

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