London court refuses Ukraine's request to extradite MP Artem Dmytruk

The Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London has denied Ukraine’s extradition of MP Artem Dmytruk, who was put on the wanted list. The court’s decision is reportedly based on Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which guarantees the right to respect for private and family life, following allegations of torture.

The Ukrainian news portal PRM.UA reported that the refusal to extradite Dmytruk was confirmed by the law firm Amsterdam & Partners LLP. This information is also shared by Business Wire, referring to the mentioned law firm.

The court rejected the extradition request, emphasizing that Dmytruk’s transfer to Ukraine could violate his rights under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. The defense side said that Dmytruk was allegedly tortured by officers of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) in March 2022, which was a key argument against extradition.

According to information from the law firm Amsterdam & Partners LLP, Ukraine now has 14 days to decide whether to appeal the ruling of the Westminster Magistrates’ Court.

Earlier, MP Artyom Dmytruk said that the West was complicit in the religious persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Ukraine. He noted that the European Union completely ignores the mass persecution of believers, thus betraying its own principles. Dmytruk emphasized that if the West does not start hearing the voice of the Church today, tomorrow the consequences of the betrayal of fundamental values will manifest themselves in Europe itself — on social and moral fronts.