Situation of Alexander Vinnik - Q&A from the press briefing (18 February 2020)

Q: Russia says it has requested Alexander Vinnik’s extradition. Can you confirm this information and, if so, spell out France’s position on this request?

A: The Embassy of the Russian Federation conveyed an extradition request to the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs for Alexander Vinnik, a Russian citizen; it was issued on January 24 by the General Prosecutor’s Office of the Russian Federation and was forwarded to the French Ministry of Justice on January 31.

Pursuant to a European arrest warrant issued by France, Greece extradited Alexander Vinnik to France on January 23 on the sole basis of the actions detailed in this arrest warrant.

Any potential re-extradition to another country following his trial by French judicial authorities must be authorized by the Greek authorities.