Tbilisi Court of Appeals rules against extradition of Russian businessman Bokarev

The Tbilisi Court of Appeals has dismissed the decision of the Georgian Interior Ministry Migration Department on refusal of asylum for Russian businessman Sergey Bokarev, which means the businessman, who supports Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, will not be extradited to Russia.  

This man – Sergei Bokarev – is a Russian businessman and was an official donor to Alwxei Navalny’s efforts and critic of Putin’ foreign policy. Georgian Gov’t wants to extradite him to Russia. Appeals court will issue ruling today. pic.twitter.com/QA2GoEm7om

— Giorgi Kandelaki (@kandelakigiorgi) September 17, 2021

 

Bokarev arrived in Georgia back in 2018 and was arrested shortly per the demand of Russia.  

 

However, Bokarev asked for asylum in Georgia and stated that he was politically persecuted by the Russian government because he was financially supporting Navalny.  

 

He was refused asylum by the migration department and Bokarev addressed the court. 

 

Both Tbilisi City Court and Court of Appeals ruled that the Interior Ministry Migration Department must review its decision on the refusal of asylum.