The Prosecutor General’s Office of Belarus issued a statement on Wednesday, in which it tried to “explain” and lend legitimacy to its actions in respect of blogger Alexander Lapshin’s extradition to Azerbaijan.

According to BELTA, the Prosecutor General’s Office stated that on 15 December 2016, Alexander Lapshin, who was placed on a wanted list, was detained in the territory of Minsk upon the request of the Azerbaijani side. “The request on handing him over for prosecution was made in the prescribed period. It was drawn up in accordance with the requirements of the Convention on Legal Aid and Legal Relations in Civil, Family and Criminal Cases (signed on 7 October 2002)  and contained guarantees by the Azerbaijani side on observing the limits of prosecution stipulated by Article 475 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Belarus.

The actions of Alexander Lapshin, which he is accused of under Articles 281.2 and 318.2 of the Azerbaijani Criminal Code, are also punishable under the Belarusian criminal legislation, corresponding to Article 361 (3) and Article 371 (3) of the Criminal Code.

The statute of limitations for prosecuting Lapshin has not expired yet under the Belarusian and Azerbaijani legislation. He is not a citizen of Belarus. In this connection, the Prosecutor General’s Office of Belarus adopted a decision on handing him over to Azerbaijan for prosecution on 17 January 2017, being guided by Articles 66, 67 and 88 of the Convention and Articles 494 and 495 of the Belarusian Criminal Procedure Code.

In accordance with the requirements of the acting legislation, checking the proof of guilt of the extradited person in the incriminated crimes does not fall within the competence of the requested party,” the statement reads.

The decision on extradition entered into force on February 7. Lapshin read and understood the court decision in the prescribed manner. It is also noted that neither Russia nor Israel, whose citizen Alexander Lapshin is, request his extradition from the Belarusian side.