Yesterday, the Constitutional Court decided to suspend the extradition procedures to Russia for Igor Kokunov, but when the Ministry of Justice learned about this decision, it was too late.
According to the minutes signed at the Rinas Border Police Commissariat, he was handed over to the Russian authorities at 16:54 on October 30, 2024, while the Ministry of Justice officially recognized the decision of the Constitutional Court on October 31, 2024.
ANNOUNCEMENT:
The extradition of the Russian citizen Igor Kokunov from Albania to Russia was carried out according to legal procedures and court decisions approved by the Albanian authorities. Kokunov, born on 10.02.1964 in Russia, was arrested in Albania on 26.08.2023 and was initially assigned the security measure “Arrest in prison” for 40 days by the Court of First Instance of General Jurisdiction Shkodër on 29.08.2023. With a new decision on 04.10.2023, this measure was transformed into “Arrest in prison” without a deadline, to enable the continuation of extradition procedures.
As part of the preparations for the extradition, on 26.09.2024 the Ministry of Justice requested information on Kokunov’s legal status. The General Directorate of Prisons confirmed that he was being held as a result of the “Prison Arrest” security measure, indefinitely. After the approval of the extradition by the Court of First Instance and confirmation by the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, the Ministry of Justice approved the extradition on 14.10.2024.
The extradition of the Russian citizen Igor Kokunov was carried out on October 30, 2024, at 16:45, according to the minutes signed at the Rinas Border Police Station, where he was handed over to the Russian authorities. On October 31, 2024, the Ministry of Justice officially recognized the decision of the Constitutional Court. While by email the Court notified the Ministry of Justice at 17:53 on October 30, outside official hours. This decision, taken by the Constitutional Court on 30.10.2024, at 17:15, ordered the temporary suspension of the extradition proceedings until a second decision by this court (see the decision).
