Ukraine halts extradition of assassination plotters against Putin

The European Court of Human Rights has recommended Ukraine to halt extradition of Adam Osmayev, suspected plotter of assassination of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chechen Leader Ramzan Kadyrov. Osmayev’s wife Amina Okuyaeva said that the decision was made on Friday but announced on Monday. His relatives expect Ukrainian President Victor Yanukovych to comment on the issue, Kommersant reports.

Osmayev is believed to be the leader of the Caucasus Emirate. The Odessa Court of Appeal ordered his extradition on August 14. He was to be taken to Kharkov in a week or two and then to the Lefortovo Detention Center for two months.

Osmayev’s lawyers said that extradition violates the Human Rights Convention. He has not been fully identified. Yuri Boychenko, the PR chief of the Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s Office, said that the Strasburg Court sent its decree to Kiev to halt extradition.

The suspect may get 15 years of prison in Ukraine.

26-year old Ruslan Madayev (Russia) died and 28-year old Ilia Pyanzin (Kazakhstan) was injured in a blast in Odessa on January 4, 2012. Suspected organizers of the blast were caught on February 4. On February 27, Ukrainian security officials confirmed that the suspects were planning assassination of Putin.