Ukraine asks Greece to arrest Russian citizen
A Russian expert in the energy sector - economist Yevgeny Kalinin - has been detained in Greece at the request of Ukraine, according to Russia's TASS news agency.
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Russian energy expert Ievgueni Kalinin. Photo: RT |
Kalinin was arrested and detained on February 28 at Athens Airport, his lawyer Yannis Rakhiotis said. His hearing was held on March 1 and Kalinin was taken to Korydallos prison until Ukraine formally requests his extradition to Greece.
The Russian expert's lawyer called the arrest a political matter. "Late last Thursday evening, Russian energy expert Ievgueni Kalinin was arrested at Athens Airport. The arrest was made at the request of Ukraine. Mr. Kalinin was in Greece on a business trip. He is a well-known oil expert," Rakhiotis explained.
Lawyer Yannis Rakhiotis said Kiev accused Yevgeny Kalinin of tax evasion while working in Ukraine. "However, this is a political issue. Kalinin is on the list of people being sued in Ukraine for working for companies allegedly controlled by relatives of former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych," Rakhiotis said.
"This Russian citizen is in mortal danger if he is extradited to Ukraine," lawyer Rakhiotis added.
The Russian Embassy in Greece said it was providing all possible support to Yevgeny Kalinin. The Kremlin has yet to comment on the arrest.