A decision on whether to extradite mathematician and blogger Mikhail Verbitsky, detained in Yerevan, to Russian authorities will be made soon. He is expected to be released soon, according to Artur Sakunts, head of the Yerevan-based human rights organization Helsinki Citizens' Assembly - Vanadzor.

"Only formal legal steps remain, after which he will be released. There will be no extradition to Russia," the human rights activist clarified.

Mikhail Verbitsky was detained at Zvartnots Airport on the night of June 13 on an international warrant issued by Russia. According to Armenian law, as explained by Ani Chatinyan, a lawyer with Vanadzor, an extradition request can lead to detention for up to 40 days, while without such a request, the detainee must be released within 72 hours. Artur Sakunts emphasized that this incident demonstrates the inadvisability of Armenia's participation in the CIS. Verbitsky's lawyer, Vache Simonyan, stated that Armenia will not be able to allow the scientist to leave the country while his name is on the border's wanted list, even if his extradition to Russian authorities is denied. Simonyan explained that this is due to legal provisions. In 2002, Armenia, along with other CIS countries, acceded to the Chisinau Convention, which stipulates mutual assistance in the surrender of wanted individuals.

In Russia, Verbitsky is accused of "discrediting" the army and "justifying terrorism." He taught for a long time in the mathematics department of the Higher School of Economics (HSE). The mathematician criticized the "SVO" and signed an open letter from scientists against military action. He also called for missile strikes against Russia. Verbitsky also expressed doubts about the official investigation into the March 2024 Crocus City Hall terrorist attack. In his opinion, the detained Tajik citizens were not involved in the crime, and their confessions were obtained under torture.