Baltic States – CIS, Banks, Financial Services, Legislation, Lithuania

The decision is based on paragraph 1 article 62 of the Law between the Republic of Lithuania and the Russian Federation on Legal Aid and Legal Affairs in Civil, Family and Criminal Cases ratified on 21 July 1992. The law stipulates that a person cannot be extradited if he is granted asylum.

Nonetheless, criminal prosecution of the suspect will continue in Lithuania, prosecutors will also evaluate possibilities to address the Russian Federation requesting additional legal assistance.

The pre-trial investigation will seek to use every legal measure to ensure Romanov's participation in the criminal proceedings.

The pre-trial investigation in the criminal case over high value property squander in bank Ukio Bankas and related criminal offences continues – economic activities are being investigated, liaisons with foreign law enforcement agencies are ongoing, other processes are being implemented.

As reported, 66-eyar-old Romanov was apprehended in Moscow on request of the Interpol. However, shareholder of the bankrupt bank Ukio Bankas and owner of the Scottish football club Hearts had heart complaints and has been "treated" in Russia ever since. Romanov, who had lived in Lithuania since childhood, escaped to Russia last May on the pretext of business. The Moscow court let Romanov go free without applying any penalty, even though he is suspected of high value property embezzlement and squander.