Russia suspends 20-year agreement on inmate handover with Georgia

The Russian government has adopted a Resolution to suspend its agreement with Georgia on the transfer of inmates who have been tried, convicted and were now serving their sentence in the neighbour nation, reports Russian media.

Cancellation of the agreement, which has been in place for the past two decades, was initiated by Russia’s Justice Ministry and a corresponding draft bill was uploaded on an official portal where authorities disclosed legal information.

The initial inmates’ handover agreement was signed on March 19, 1996.

Russian media said the suspension of the agreement was agreed by other agencies within the Russian Federation, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Supreme Court. The initiative was approved by Russian Prime Minister Dmitri Medvedev and had since been sent to President Vladimir Putin, who was in charge of notifying the Georgian side about the news.

Meanwhile, Foreign Adviser to Georgia’s President Tengiz Pkhaladze said it was "sad news” that Russia had made moves to suspend the inmate transfer deal but he was not surprised by the move.

"In the reality that Russia has created in past years, I don’t think cancelling this agreement is surprising,” he said.

"Russia has taken even dangerous steps towards our territorial integrity so we should not be surprised by the suspension of this agreement”.

"This of course is a sad fact but it is fully in line with Russia’s policy towards Georgia.”

Last year Russia suspended its free trade agreement with Georgia.