ECtHR sees no Belgium's violations in extradition of Chechen native to Russia

The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has decided that Belgium did not violate any rights of the native of Chechnya Arbi Zarmaev on his extradition to Russia.

It follows from the case file that Zarmaev arrived in Belgium in 2002, where three years later he was granted asylum under a false identity card. He was detained in 2009 on suspicion of involvement in a series of crimes. After weapons were found in his house, the agency for refugees' matters decided to deprive him of his refugee status. Zarmaev was sentenced by the court to 1.5 years in prison.

Arbi Zarmaev has for four times unsuccessfully appealed to Belgian authorities asking to grant asylum to him. At the same time, the authorities of the Russian Federation sent an extradition request to Belgium in relation of Zarmaev, who was charged in Russia with involvement in a murder.

Upon expiry of his prison term, Zarmaev applied to the authorities of Belgium with two petitions, in which he asked to suspend and abolish his extradition, but the petitions were rejected.

Zarmaev has pointed out that, in his opinion, his extradition to Russia would entail a violation of Article 3 (prohibition of torture and inhuman and degrading treatment) and Article 6, paragraph 1 (right to a fair trial) of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).