Russian and U.S. Authorities Could Look Into Extradition

Russian Jail File Photo Showing Outer Wall, Windows, Barbed Wire

(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – September 12, 2013) Russia’s Prosecutor General’s Office and the U.S. Justice Department have agreed to sign a memorandum on cooperation in order to work together on criminal matters, in a move that could put the thorny issue of extradition between the two countries up for discussion.

The agreement was reached at a meeting that took place between both sides on the sidelines of the International Conference of Prosecutors, currently being held in Moscow, Interfax reported Wednesday.

“The two sides continued discussions about international cooperation, primarily in connection with the fight against crime and the defense of human rights,” Russian prosecutors said in a statement.

The participants in the meeting agreed on the need to collaborate more effectively on criminal matters, including the institution of extradition and mutual legal assistance.

Deputy Assistant Attorney General Bruce Swartz, who headed the U.S. delegation, said the American side would soon put forward their proposal outlining how they think cooperation could be implemented.

The Russian side in the discussion was led by Deputy Prosecutor General Alexander Zvyagintsev.

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