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Crisis in Belarus

Extradition process for convicted Russian national Sofia Sapega launched — lawyer

Anton Gashinsky refrained from saying when the handover would take place

MINSK, April 3. /TASS/. The extradition process for Sofia Sapega, sentenced to six years' imprisonment in Belarus, to Russia, has been launched, lawyer Anton Gashinsky told TASS on Monday.

"Of course [it has been launched]," he replied to a corresponding question. Gashinsky refrained from saying when the handover would take place.

"No comment," the lawyer said.

On April 2, some media said Sapega might soon be returned to her home country, where she would serve the remainder of her term. Her parents had applied to the Russian Ministry of Justice for their daughter's transfer to Russia. The Belarusian side gave its consent. At present, Sapega's family is waiting for a trial in Russia, which shall determine how much time she will serve in her home country.

The Russian embassy in Minsk has told TASS that Russian diplomats were still working on Sapega's case and expecting to meet with her.

Sapega was detained at Minsk Airport on May 23, 2021 together with Roman Protasevich, one of the founders of Nexta - a Telegram channel recognized as extremist in Belarus. Later, the court found her guilty of intentional acts committed by a group of persons with the aim of inciting social hatred and discord resulting in grave consequences, as well as of illegal collection and distribution of personal data. Last May, Sapega was sentenced to six years in prison. Her petition for pardon was declined. Last year, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said that he considered it possible to transfer Sapega to Russia.

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