MOSCOW (Sputnik) – His comments refer to Russian pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko and businessman Viktor Bout, both of whom have been arrested outside the United States, subsequently extradited and are serving long prison sentences in the US.
“It is no secret that a very serious threat in recent years to the rights and interests of Russian citizens comes from US authorities, who apply US law in an extraterritorial manner. This is unacceptable, it is a violation of international law and the rights of our citizens. We will continue to firmly, but with the use of legal mechanisms and diplomatic means, demand an end to this illegal practice,” Dolgov said in an interview with the Rossiya 24 broadcaster.
The United States lacks the political will to exchange Russian nationals Konstantin Yaroshenko and Viktor Bout, according to the ombudsman.
"So far, we have seen no clear signs from the United States that would indicate a readiness to gain an understanding of this situation and change their position — an absolutely nonconstructive position — which has already led to citizens' rights being violated," Dolgov stressed.
Bout was arrested in Bangkok in 2008 in a joint operation between Thai and US authorities, who accused him of conspiring to kill US nationals by allegedly agreeing to supply Colombian militants with weapons. He is currently serving a 25-year sentence in an Illinois prison.
Yaroshenko, a Russian pilot sentenced to 20 years in prison for conspiring to import more than $100 million worth of cocaine into the United States, was arrested in Liberia in 2010 and subsequently extradited to the United States.
Russia is ready for dialogue with the United States on the possible exchange of both Russian pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko and businessman Viktor Bout for US prisoners in Russia.
"If the US government will nevertheless agree to a substantive discussion of international and legal opportunities for the return of our citizens, we are absolutely ready to conduct this dialogue. We are ready for professional, honest, calm and substantive discussion in order to solve these issues important to us and to our citizens," Dolgov told the Rossiya 24 broadcaster.
Despite Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov’s confirmation last week of Moscow’s proposal to exchange Bout and Yaroshenko for US prisoners, Dolgov said "we have not reached that stage due to the fault of US authorities."
Moscow maintains that Bout and Yaroshenko's arrests outside US territory are illegal.
Dolgov also said that Russian businessman Viktor Bout’s legal defense team is considering filing an appeal with the US Supreme Court.
"As far as I know, the team of Viktor Bout’s lawyers is working and thinking about how to further use the opportunities still remaining in the US legal system, including a possible appeal with the Supreme Court," Dolgov said in an interview with the Rossiya 24 broadcaster.
He said the Russian Foreign Ministry supported the work of Bout's attorneys.
