The Varna Court of Appeal has refused extradition to Russia for Russian citizen Alexey Alchin, BNR’s correspondent in Varna Daniela Stoynova reports. After hearing two witnesses, one of them former Duma MP Gennady Gudkov who lives in Varna, the magistrates ruled to release Alchin and repealed his remand order.

• Protest in Varna against the extradition of a Russian who burned his passport
  

Before the Varna Court of Appeal, the District Court in Varna gave agreed to the extradition request for Russian citizen Alexey Alchin, charged with massive tax evasion. After the Varna Court of Appeal ruling, which is definitive and is not subject to appeal, Alchin will not be extradited.

Protesters had once again gathered in front of the courthouse, among them renowned Bulgarian film director Galin Stoev, who stated that the charges were trumped up and there was no guarantee that Alchin would receive a fair trial in Russia. Alexey Alchin is an active participant in the anti-Kremlin protests, and after Russia launched its war against Ukraine, burnt his Russian passport in public.