Russia refuses to extradite ex banker to Lithuania

  • 2014-08-25
  • From wire reports, VILNIUS

Vladimir Romanov (photo: twitter)

Russia will not extradite former banker Vladimir Romanov after being granted asylum in Russia, Lithuania's Prosecutor General office has said.

It follows after the 66 year old former owner of the bankrupt Ukio bankas was apprehended in Moscow on request of the Interpol in April this year.

However, the owner of the Scottish football club Hearts said he had heart complaints and had been treated in Russia ever since.

Romanov, who had lived in Lithuania since childhood, escaped to Russia last May on the pretext of business. The Moscow court let Romanov go free without applying any penalty, even though he is suspected of high value property embezzlement and squander.

However, a criminal prosecution of the suspect will continue in Lithuania. Prosecutors will also evaluate possibilities to address the Russian Federation requesting additional legal assistance.

The pre-trial investigation will seek to use every legal measure to ensure Romanov's participation in the criminal proceedings.

The pre-trial investigation in the criminal case over high value property squander in bank Ukio Bankas and related criminal offenses continues. Lithuania's prosecutor general office says economic activities are being investigated, liaisons with foreign law enforcement agencies are ongoing and other processes are being implemented.