Poland to extradite illegal gambling case suspect Ignatenko to Russia - minister
MOSCOW. Dec 18 (Interfax) - Poland will extradite illegal gambling case suspect Alexander Ignatenko to Russia, being hopeful of Russia's legal assistance to the Smolensk air crash investigation, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said in an exclusive interview with Interfax during his visit to Moscow.
"As far as I know, that is a criminal case, and Poland will render legal assistance to Russia; the man will be extradited. We also hope that Russia will duly consider our requests for legal assistance to the Smolensk air crash inquiry," he said.
"In the Polish juridical system, prosecutors are totally independent from the government: neither our prime minister nor justice minister can give directives to prosecutors," Sikorski said.
Ignatenko is a key suspect in covering up illegal casinos.
More details from the Sikorski interview will be available at www.interfax.ru and www.interfax.com.