Georgia: Moscow Demands Return of Russian Soldier

The Russian General Prosecutor's office sent a formal request to the Georgian Ministry of Justice on April 28 for extradition of a Russian non-commissioned officer who is now living in Tbilisi, the Regnum news agency reported.

Junior Sergeant Alexander Glukhov, who served with Russian troops stationed in the breakaway region of South Ossetia, turned himself over to Georgian police in mid-January 2009. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive].

He told Georgian media that he left his battalion because of poor living conditions, a lack of food and problems with his commanding officers. Glukhov has since moved into a Tbilisi apartment financed by the Ministry of Refugees and Accommodations. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive].

The Georgian government stated earlier that it is considering granting asylum to Glukhov and does not intend to send him back to Russia.