Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06VILNIUS473
2006-05-23 12:54:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Vilnius
Cable title:
DISTRICT COURT OVERTURNS RUSSIAN BANKER BABENKO'S
how-toVZCZCXRO4431 RR RUEHAST DE RUEHVL #0473 1431254 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 231254Z MAY 06 FM AMEMBASSY VILNIUS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0186 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 2420 RHMFIUU/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC RUEAWJA/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS VILNIUS 000473
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958:N/A
TAGS: PGOV ENRG EFIN KCRM PHUM LH RS
SUBJECT: DISTRICT COURT OVERTURNS RUSSIAN BANKER BABENKO'S
ASYLUM DECISION
REFTEL: VILNIUS 355
UNCLAS VILNIUS 000473
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958:N/A
TAGS: PGOV ENRG EFIN KCRM PHUM LH RS
SUBJECT: DISTRICT COURT OVERTURNS RUSSIAN BANKER BABENKO'S
ASYLUM DECISION
REFTEL: VILNIUS 355
1. Vilnius District Administrative Court revoked on May 22
the Migration Department's decision granting Russian banker
Igor Babenko asylum in Lithuania. Babenko has seven days to
appeal to the Supreme Administrative Court. Barring an
appeal, the ruling sets the stage for the Vilnius Appeals
Court to continue hearings on Russia's extradition request
which had been suspended pending a final ruling on his asylum
status. A district court ruled in September 2005 to extradite
Babenko to Russia where he faces charges for allegedly
laundering USD 12 million of Yukos-owned Menatep Bank funds.
BACKGROUND CASE HISTORY
--------------
2. Lithuanian authorities arrested Babenko in Vilnius on July
1, 2005, after Russia requested his extradition to pursue an
investigation of money laundering. A district court ruled on
September 28, 2005, to extradite Babenko to Russia, and he
appealed the decision to the Vilnius Appeals Court. While
court proceedings on the extradition were ongoing, the
Migration Department granted refugee status to Babenko on
January 30, 2006, and granted him permission to live in
Lithuania. The Court of Appeals hearing Babenko's extradition
case suspended hearings pending the outcome of the Lithuanian
Prosecutor General's Office appeal of the decision of the
Migration Department to grant asylum status. On April 7, a
Vilnius court extended Babenko's detention for three months
(reftel).
KELLY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958:N/A
TAGS: PGOV ENRG EFIN KCRM PHUM LH RS
SUBJECT: DISTRICT COURT OVERTURNS RUSSIAN BANKER BABENKO'S
ASYLUM DECISION
REFTEL: VILNIUS 355
1. Vilnius District Administrative Court revoked on May 22
the Migration Department's decision granting Russian banker
Igor Babenko asylum in Lithuania. Babenko has seven days to
appeal to the Supreme Administrative Court. Barring an
appeal, the ruling sets the stage for the Vilnius Appeals
Court to continue hearings on Russia's extradition request
which had been suspended pending a final ruling on his asylum
status. A district court ruled in September 2005 to extradite
Babenko to Russia where he faces charges for allegedly
laundering USD 12 million of Yukos-owned Menatep Bank funds.
BACKGROUND CASE HISTORY
--------------
2. Lithuanian authorities arrested Babenko in Vilnius on July
1, 2005, after Russia requested his extradition to pursue an
investigation of money laundering. A district court ruled on
September 28, 2005, to extradite Babenko to Russia, and he
appealed the decision to the Vilnius Appeals Court. While
court proceedings on the extradition were ongoing, the
Migration Department granted refugee status to Babenko on
January 30, 2006, and granted him permission to live in
Lithuania. The Court of Appeals hearing Babenko's extradition
case suspended hearings pending the outcome of the Lithuanian
Prosecutor General's Office appeal of the decision of the
Migration Department to grant asylum status. On April 7, a
Vilnius court extended Babenko's detention for three months
(reftel).
KELLY