Rights defenders against extradition of Chechen native from Sweden

Sweden is preparing to extradite a native of Chechnya to Russia, after denying him the refugee status despite the allegations of torture by Chechen law enforcers, the "Vayfond" Chechen Human Rights Association has stated. The Swedish authorities' decision is contrary to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), human rights defenders have explained.

Swedish authorities are planning to deport Arthur Sh. to Russia via a third country; air tickets have already been bought, the "Vayfond" has informed in its Telegram channel.

"Arthur was tortured in Chechnya, after which he miraculously escaped from Russia and asked for asylum in Sweden. However, there he faced misunderstanding and mistrust. He was repeatedly denied asylum," the message in the Telegram channel explains.

"We feel sad to observe such violations here, in civilized democratic countries, because it is from lawlessness that people flee here; and we see that the situation with respect for human rights in the EU countries is deteriorating every day ... Deportations continue," the "Vayfond" has stated.

According to a source from the "Vayfond", Arthur was denied refugee status in May because the migration service was alerted by the fact that he could not recollect some minor details of the torture, although his memory impairment was associated with the torture.