Russian to be extradited for ‘bribing minister’

A RUSSIAN man accused of bribing his country’s Deputy Finance Minister is set for extradition after arriving in Cyprus for a holiday on Monday.

Larnaca district court yesterday decided that proceedings for the extradition of Alexander Vladimir Suchkov, 46, would begin on September 2.

Suchkov, a businessman, was arrested on his arrival at Larnaca airport just before midnight on Monday after police received a tipoff from Interpol.

The Russian authorities say Suchkov has been charged with bribing Russia’s deputy finance minister between December 1995 and January 1996.

The Attorney-general’s office requested Suchkov’s hearing be postponed until September so the Justice Minister would have time to authorise the extradition and for the Russian authorities to send the necessary documents to Cyprus.

The court decided to release Suchkov on £50,000 bail and confiscation of his travel documents. His name was put on the stop-list and he was ordered to present himself to the police three times a week.

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