Russian Expulsions

[Moscow Mule]

All quite interesting

At this point the UK has granted asylum to Zakayev the Cechen "terrorist", and is protecting Berezovsky and countless others who are wanted in Russia for various fraud crimes etc.

So why is it, when some dubious informant gets clipped do they suddenly get all @rsey.

No doubt there is a cell waiting for Berezovsky, next to Khodorovsky in Siberia.

UK is on the wane, Russia on the rise, whether this is a good thing or not is debatable.

Out of all this, I think the most interesting aspect will be the position the EU countries take on this and how strong their support of the UK's position will be, based on their increasing reliance on Russian energy.

I think they (EU countries) will stay out of it or side with Moscow. Britain doesn't have many friends in Europe at the moment and most of the Eastern Bloc great their gas/oil from Russian pipeline.

[Moscow Mule]

really?! when / why?!

They are just a bit funny about it, there's a mass grave under there and days before a parade or a holiday the whole place is sealed off.

[sunnysan]

Well

All quite interesting

At this point the UK has granted asylum to Zakayev the Cechen "terrorist", and is protecting Berezovsky and countless others who are wanted in Russia for various fraud crimes etc.

So why is it, when some dubious informant gets clipped do they suddenly get all @rsey.

No doubt there is a cell waiting for Berezovsky, next to Khodorovsky in Siberia.

UK is on the wane, Russia on the rise, whether this is a good thing or not is debatable.

Out of all this, I think the most interesting aspect will be the position the EU countries take on this and how strong their support of the UK's position will be, based on their increasing reliance on Russian energy.

[Burdock]

That would get me deported, for sure!

Depending on the time of day/day of week, even walking on Red Square is a no-no!

really?! when / why?!

[Troll]

...only joking ATW

[Moscow Mule]

I heard someone say it on Radio 4 last night. I don't remember who sorry, MM.

I think you should stand in Red Square with a sandwich board that says, "Extradite Lugovoi now!" (in Russian).

That would get me deported, for sure!

Depending on the time of day/day of week, even walking on Red Square is a no-no!

[Burdock]

Can you give an example?

I heard someone say it on Radio 4 last night. I don't remember who sorry, MM.

I think you should stand in Red Square with a sandwich board that says, "Extradite Lugovoi now!" (in Russian).

[Moscow Mule]

Apparently they have extradited in the past...they use the constitution excuse selectively.

Can you give an example?

As far as I know, Article 61 of the constitution expressly forbids extradition of a Russian citizen.

There's a lot of chatter about the 1957 Council of Europe European Convention on Extradition, which Russia is a signatory of, but there is an opt-out for extradition.

I'm not saying the Russians are right, or that their decision isn't politically motivated - merely that their position is supported by the law.

[Burdock]

I think Milliband is being a touch disingenuous about this.

UK government know perfectly well that extradition of a Russian citizen is illegal under the Russian constitution, yet they insist on starting these petty games and never mention the facts in speeches etc.

It's not as if the Russians made up their constitution last week to prevent Lugovoi from being extradited.

Apparently they have extradited in the past...they use the constitution excuse selectively.

[Euro-commuter]

The last time this tulip happened was with Thatcher... and eventually she caved in.
It will be interesting to see how far this spineless bunch of feckwits are prepared to push it - I expect to see our diplomats being expelled, Gazprom having 'supply' difficulties,joint gas exploration licences being revoked.... and in retaliation we send ATW back

[Troll]

The last time this tulip happened was with Thatcher... and eventually she caved in.
It will be interesting to see how far this spineless bunch of feckwits are prepared to push it - I expect to see our diplomats being expelled, Gazprom having 'supply' difficulties,joint gas exploration licences being revoked.... and in retaliation we send ATW back

[Moscow Mule]

I think Milliband is being a touch disingenuous about this.

UK government know perfectly well that extradition of a Russian citizen is illegal under the Russian constitution, yet they insist on starting these petty games and never mention the facts in speeches etc.

It's not as if the Russians made up their constitution last week to prevent Lugovoi from being extradited.

[Troll]

All very pathetic IMHO, we have loads of their criminals we wont extradite & we get all shirty because they won't give us one of theirs.

Handbags at dawn