Thailand vows to extradite Russian businessman sought on corruption charges
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 28 August 2016 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Thailand vows to extradite Russian businessman sought on corruption charges, 28 August 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57db9a5b13.html [accessed 20 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
August 28, 2016
Russia's embassy in Thailand says Thai authorities have agreed to extradite a Russian businessman and local lawmaker from Russia's Khakassia Republic who is sought on corruption charges.
The embassy told TASS on August 28 that Thailand has confirmed that Russian citizen Vasily Smolnikov would be sent back to Russia in late September to face criminal charges of large-scale embezzlement and attempting to bribe a public official.
Smolnikov, a member of the city council of Chernogorsk, is the founder of the Chernogorskotdelstroy Company – a firm contracted to rebuild houses in the village of Shira in Khakassia that had been damaged by fire in April 2015.
Russian investigators allege that Smolnikov embezzled funds allocated under that contract and fled the country.
Smolnikov was detained by police in Thailand at the request of Russian authorities after he was charged in absentia by a local court in Chernogorsk in February and put on an international wanted list.
Based on reporting by TASS and Interfax
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
