Putin’s decree will solve the problem of extraditing SVO participants for mercenarism – Kommersant

The head of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy, Alexander Khinshtein, believes that the signing by President Vladimir Putin of a decree that allows foreigners who have entered into a contract with the Russian army to receive Russian citizenship will solve the problem of extraditing veterans of the military operation in Ukraine to other states.

“Now the problem with the extradition of Northern Military District veterans to other countries, where they will be punished for “mercenarism,” will be resolved. Russia does not extradite its citizens!” the parliamentarian wrote in Telegram channel.

Earlier, Mr. Khinshtein spoke about two cases detentions in Russia, citizens of Uzbekistan who participated in hostilities in Ukraine. They were threatened with deportation to their homeland, where criminal cases were opened against the men for mercenarism and participation in an armed conflict on the side of a foreign state. Both participants in the military operation were provided with temporary asylum. They also applied for Russian citizenship.

Today, January 4, Vladimir Putin signed decree, which provides for the possibility of obtaining Russian citizenship in a simplified manner by foreigners who have entered into a contract for military service in the RF Armed Forces or other military formations. Members of their families will also be able to apply for citizenship. Foreigners who were dismissed from military service in the Russian Army for health reasons during the special operation in Ukraine, upon reaching the age limit, or upon expiration of the contract, will also have the opportunity to apply for Russian citizenship.

Alexander Kislov