The Bulgarian newspaper “Novinar Ug” has reported that the court of appeals refused the extradition of disabled Chechen refugee Akhmed Chataev.

According to the information, on July 20, the Bulgarian Court of Appeals refused to extradite Chataev. The Court of Appeals ruled that Akhmed Chataev has refugee status in Austria which is according to the 1951 Refugee Convention. The Convention has been ratified by Bulgaria and is an international legal norm. In accordance with the provisions of Art. 33 of the Convention, none of the Contracting States has under no circumstances the right to expel or return refugees to the territories, where there is a threat to their life or freedom because of their race, religion, nationality, adherence to a particular social group or their political beliefs. In this sense, it corresponds to Article 3 of the Convention on the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and Art. 21 § 1 of the European Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism. The reason for such concerns is the refugee status granted to Chataev by Austria. In accordance with the provisions of the Law on Extradition, the European arrest warrant, issued by Russia, is an absolute ground for Bulgaria to refuse the extradition. The decision is final and not subject to appeal.

“I didn’t do anything illegal and I want to be released,” said Akhmed Chataev during the judgment. After the trial, he was released immediately.

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