Extradition to Russia discharged as an abuse of the process of the Court

Westminster Magistrates’ Court has discharged long running extradition proceedings brought by the Russian Federation against the successful Russian businessman, Georgy Bedzhamov.

Mr Bedzhamov faced abusive and politically motivated criminal allegations presented as offences of fraud, in Russia. 

However, the Home Secretary has accepted that Mr Bedzhamov’s removal to Russia would violate his rights under the European Convention on Human Rights.  On this basis, he contended that the extradition proceedings were abusive and should be dismissed having regard in particular to section 93(6A) of the Extradition Act 2003.

At a hearing on 20 September 2021, District Judge Snow agreed that it would be an abuse of process of the Court to permit Russia’s extradition request to continue, and the proceedings were stayed and Mr Bedzhamov discharged, with costs.

Ben Cooper QC and Anthony Vaughan were instructed by Matthew Ingham of Payne Hicks Beach LLP.