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Prague will not disclose papers on Russia’s Franchetti obtained from Ukraine — spokesman

After the investigation is complete, the Prague City Court may hold a hearing on Franchetti’s extradition to Ukraine

PRAGUE, September 15. /TASS/. The Prague City Prosecutor’s Office, which is working on the case of Russian citizen Alexander Franchetti, cannot disclose the documents obtained from Ukraine that served as grounds for Franchetti’s detention in Prague, the Office’s spokesman Ales Cimbala told TASS Wednesday.

"We cannot disclose the content of the documents on Franchetti that came from Ukraine, including the grounds for his detention, expressed there," Cimbala said, adding that this corresponds to the existing international practice.

He redirected this inquiry to the Kiev authorities, adding that they alone can inform the media about the papers demanding Franchetti’s apprehension. Meanwhile, Franchetti himself and his lawyer were informed about the charges.

The spokesman noted that Prosecutor Jaroslava Novotna has started working on the Franchetti case materials. After the investigation is complete, the Prague City Court may hold a hearing on Franchetti’s extradition to Ukraine. The extradition will not happen if any circumstances that obstruct it are unveiled.

According to media reports, the Russian citizen was detained over his active participation in 2014 events that led to the reconciliation of Crimea and Russia. According to Czech lawyers, the decision regarding Franchetti’s extradition to Ukraine may take about one year.