Indonesia, Russia sign extradition agreement

Indonesia's Minister of Law and Human Rights Yasonna Laoly and Russia's Justice Minister Konstantin Chuychenko at the signing ceremony on March 31. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesia's Minister of Law and Human Rights Yasonna Laoly and Russia's Justice Minister Konstantin Chuychenko on March 31 signed an extradition agreement in Bali to combat cross-border crimes.

Speaking at a press conference on the same day, Minister Yaonna emphasised that the agreement is important to Indonesia and Russia because it helps the two countries to deal with transnational crimes such as cybercrime, money laundering, drugs, and corruption.

The signing of the agreement is in line with the Indonesian Government's commitment to strengthening cross-border law enforcement cooperation with friendly countries.

Experts say that geographically, both Indonesia and Russia have large areas, so they are easily used as a hiding place for criminals. Although repatriation of offenders can be accomplished through deportation mechanisms and immigration regulations, cooperation in extradition remains an important option because extradition is formal and binding.

The signing of the extradition agreement follows the success of the signing of an agreement on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters between the two countries in Moscow in December 2019./.