Isabel Santos in Madrid to discuss the extradition case of Aleksandr Pavlov

COPENHAGEN, 18 October 2013 – Isabel Santos (Portugal), Chair of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions, was in Madrid Thursday to meet with members of the Spanish Delegation, and to discuss abuse of Interpol and the extradition case of Aleksandr Pavlov. Santos has officially requested to see Pavlov in prison, but has been denied.

On Kazakhstan's request, Interpol issued a Red Notice for Pavlov on charges of expropriation or embezzlement of trusted property. Pavlov was subsequently arrested in Madrid. While seeking asylum from the Spanish authorities, he successfully challenged Kazakhstan's extradition request, which cited not only allegations of financial crimes, but also allegations of terrorism. A Madrid court rejected the extradition request and Pavlov was freed from detention. After Kazakhstan amended the Interpol notice to mention allegations of terrorism, Pavlov was arrested and detained for a second time. He remains in detention today pending extradition. As a result of these developments, his asylum application has been denied.

"In our human rights committee, we have often discussed abuse of Interpol for political means, and in the Pavlov case, perhaps to persecute political opponents," said Santos. "I am sorry to see an increase in such cases, and look forward to a constructive discussion on how to help protect the integrity of Interpol, but also to look at rule of law in many of our participating States."

Aleksandr Pavlov has been in detention in Spain since 2012. He is facing extradition to Kazakhstan, where he fears persecution due to his association with prominent opposition figure Mukhtar Ablyazov, for whom he served as chief of security.

Amnesty International fears that if returned to Kazakhstan, Aleksandr Pavlov would be at risk of torture or other ill-treatment and unfair trial. There are serious concerns that he will be transferred to Kazakhstan despite his appeals. In a recent case in Italy, Ablyazov's wife and six-year old daughter were effectively abducted and extradited by Italian police, on request of Kazakhstan via Interpol.

Another associate of Ablyazov has been detained in the Czech Republic for nearly two years, awaiting extradition.

This is a press release issued by the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. The views expressed in this press release do not necessarily reflect those of the OSCE Chairmanship, nor of all OSCE participating States.

The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly is comprised of 323 parliamentarians from 57 countries spanning, Europe, Central Asia and North America. The Assembly provides a forum for parliamentary diplomacy, monitors elections, and strengthens international cooperation to uphold commitments on political, security, economic, environmental and human rights issues.