Russia Has Not Received Extradition Request for Ex-President Yanukovych

MOSCOW, January 29 (Sputnik) — Russia has not received any documents for the extradition of former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and his family, Russian Justice Minister Alexander Konovalov said Thursday.

"No, I've heard nothing," Konovalov said when asked if the Justice Ministry had received an official extradition request from Kiev authorities.

An order was issued on January 19 by the Pechersk District Court in Kiev for the arrest of Yanukovych.

In mid-January, the Russian Prosecutor General’s Office announced it had not received any requests from competent Ukrainian authorities on the extradition of any Ukrainian political figures, including ex-President Yanukovych.

Yanukovych's decision not to sign an association agreement with the European Union in late 2013 triggered a mass wave of protests across Ukraine, which culminated in a February 2014 coup. Following the change of power, Yanukovych fled the country for Russia. He is wanted in Ukraine on several charges, including alleged abuse of office and corruption activities.

In January, Yanukovych was added to the Interpol's list of wanted persons. According to the organization, the ex-president is charged with “misappropriation, embezzlement or conversion of property by malversation, if committed in respect of an especially gross amount, or by an organized group.”

Last March, the Yanukovych held a press conference in southern Russia. His exact whereabouts are not known.