A Lithuanian Appeal Court refused an extradition demand from Russia in regard to a Chechen man.

On January 26th, a Lithuanian Appeal Court handled an extradition demand from the General Prosecutor’s Office of the Russian Federation. According to the court records, Russia was accusing a 39-year old Chechen refugee, Wahid Y. of being involved in the drug business.

“I participated in the first Russian-Chechen war. During the war, all of my family was killed. I ran away from the harsh treatment in Chechnya with the son of President Dzhoxar Dudaev. I had to change my name two times because of Russia’s endless persecution,” said Wahid Y.

Judge Ryšardas Skirtunas denied the extradition demand and pointed out that the allegations of the Russian Federation are politically motivated.

*Text was translated by Waynakh Online and edited by Michael Capobianco