Georgian fighter Giorgi Kinoiani freed: Armenia denies extradition to Russia

Georgian fighter Giorgi Kinoiani is free after Armenia refused Russia’s request for his extradition, citing potential threats to his safety, civil activist Giorgi Tumasiani announced on social media on Wednesday.

Tumasiani expressed hope that a similar decision will be made regarding another Georgian, Vano Sabashvili, who is also detained in Armenia at Russia’s request.

“Giorgi Kinoiani is free! Armenia refused Russia’s extradition request, because ‘this would pose a danger to him’. Many thanks to the Armenian authorities and the outstanding human rights defenders - Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly-Vanadzor, Artur Sakunts and Ani Chatinyan”, he said.

“We hope the same decision will be applied in the case of the second Georgian detained in Armenia, Vano Sabashvili,” Tumasiani wrote.

Kinoiani, a Georgian fighter who took part in Ukraine, was detained on September 3 at the Armenia–Georgia border. An Armenian court had initially imposed a 40-day extradition detention on him. Russia had issued an international request for his arrest, accusing him of fighting against Russian forces in Ukraine.