17 Sep 2020 10:33

Russian air traffic controllers accused by Poland over 2010 air crash won't be extradited - source

MOSCOW. Sept 17 (Interfax) - Poland's possible request to extradite Russian air traffic controllers as part of the case opened into the presidential plane crash near the Russian city of Smolensk in 2010 cannot be met because Russia does not extradite its citizens to foreign countries, a source familiar with the situation told Interfax on Thursday.

"In accordance with its Constitution, the Russian Federation does not turn over its citizens to foreign states. This is prohibited by the Main Law of the country," the source said when commenting on media reports that Poland has issued an arrest warrant in absentia for these Russian air traffic controllers and will now demand their extradition.

"This path leads only to a deadlock. It has no prospects," he said.

Russia "has always said that it is ready to cooperate in investigating this air crash and has done so on numerous occasions," the source said.

"Russia has done everything that can be done as part of this case," he said.