site.btaProsecution Authorities Go Ahead with Russia Request for Temporary Detention of Russian-French National

Sofia, August 1 (BTA) - The Sofia City Prosecution Office on Friday petitioned the court to detain temporarily Russian national Nikolay Koblyakov for having fled justice and the Russian authorities.

Koblyakov, who also holds a French citizenship, was arrested on an European Arrest Warrant at Sofia Airport on Tuesday and was held for 72 hours. As founder of the French non-governmental organisation Russie-Libertes, he has staged a series of anti-Putin actions in France.

Russia placed Koblyakov on the Interpol wanted list on January 17 2013 for having committed fraud between December 2004 and September 2005.

The Russian authorities have also requested his extradition.