Finland refuses to extradite Russian militant to Ukraine

8 December, 2023 Yan Petrovsky in 2015 in Donbas. Photos from open sources Finland did not allow the extradition to Ukraine of one of the leaders of the Russian neo-Nazi Rusich Group, Yan Petrovsky.

This is due to the conditions in Ukrainian prisons. This decision was made by the Supreme Court of Finland and demands his immediate release from custody, the Helsingin Sanomat reports. Yan Petrovsky, who previously fought against Ukraine, lived in Finland under the assumed name Vojislav Torden.

He is under sanctions from the EU, the US, Japan, Switzerland and New Zealand. One of the reasons, cited by the Supreme Court of Finland for the refusal to extradite the Russian militant to Ukraine, was the conditions of detention in Ukrainian prisons. In particular, it is noted that the European Court of Human Rights has recognized that they violate Article 3 of the Convention on Human Rights.

Yan Petrovsky.

Photo from open sources.

According to the Supreme Court of Finland, Yan Petrovsky will face degrading treatment in Ukraine. In particular, it is stated that the conditions in Ukrainian prisons have deteriorated even further during the war and may pose a threat to life and health. In addition, torture and violence against persons suspected of collaborating with Russia are possible.

According to the Supreme Court's decision, there is no longer any reason to keep the Russian in custody to ensure possible extradition, so he should be released immediately if there are no other grounds for his detention. According to EU sanctions, Yan Petrovsky is responsible for actions that threaten Ukraine's sovereignty and independence and the country's security. The Russian is being investigated by the Security Service of Ukraine on suspicion of participating in a terrorist organization.

According to the investigation, in 2014, Petrovsky, together with the terrorists of the so-called "Luhansk People's Republic," fought against Ukraine as part of the so-called "Rusich" Sabotage and Assault Reconnaissance Group.

Yan Petrovsky with terrorist Alexey Milchakov. Photo from open sources.

Since 2015, the Russian militant has been accused by Ukraine of committing crimes in Donbas under Article 258-3 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine - creation of a terrorist group or terrorist organization, leadership of such a group or organization or participation in it.

Extradition request. Source: Stuhna Public Reserve.

In August of this year, Yan Petrovsky was detained in Finland on charges of war crimes in Donbas.

Ukraine, in turn, requested his extradition. Yan Petrovsky participated in the activities of the Norwegian Soldiers of Odin organization. According to NRK, the terrorist also took part in the war in Syria.

He was part of a far-right group fighting on the side of President Bashar al-Assad's regime.

Norway deported him to Russia in 2016 as he was considered as a security threat.