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Sofia Court Rejects Lebanon's Extradition Request for Blast Suspect

12/11/2025

Summary

Story summary

A Sofia court denied Lebanon's extradition request for Igor Grechushkin, a Russian-Cypriot shipowner linked to the 2020 Beirut port blast.
The court cited insufficient security guarantees regarding the potential death penalty.
Grechushkin was arrested in September and is accused of introducing explosives into Lebanon, while authorities say the blast stemmed from ammonium nitrate.
Prosecutor Angel Kanev plans to appeal the ruling, arguing that Lebanon provided the necessary guarantees.
The investigation has faced delays due to political interference, and accountability calls continue.

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Story summary

A Sofia court denied Lebanon's extradition request for Igor Grechushkin, a Russian-Cypriot shipowner linked to the 2020 Beirut port blast.
The court cited insufficient security guarantees regarding the potential death penalty.
Grechushkin was arrested in September and is accused of introducing explosives into Lebanon, while authorities say the blast stemmed from ammonium nitrate.
Prosecutor Angel Kanev plans to appeal the ruling, arguing that Lebanon provided the necessary guarantees.
The investigation has faced delays due to political interference, and accountability calls continue.