Brazilian justice officials announced on Thursday that they are unable to approve a U.S. request to extradite an alleged Russian spy, citing their ongoing processing of Moscow’s own request for the individual. Sergey Cherkasov, a 37-year-old who was charged by the U.S. Justice Department, is currently serving a sentence in Brazil for using fraudulent documents.
The Brazilian justice minister, Flávio Dino, tweeted that Cherkasov will remain in prison in Brazil for the time being. Earlier this year, Brazil’s Supreme Court conditionally approved a Russian request for Cherkasov on drug trafficking allegations, which has hindered the completion of the U.S. extradition request. However, Brazil’s own spying investigation into Cherkasov is also pending.
Cherkasov’s lawyer, Paulo Ferreira, could not be reached for comment. He previously stated to the Wall Street Journal that his client is not a Russian spy.
Both the Justice Department and State Department have not responded to requests for comment.
According to the Justice Department’s March complaint, Cherkasov operated as an “illegal” deep-cover Russian agent, maintaining no known ties to his home government and constructing false identities. He lived under the alias Victor Muller Ferreira, falsely posing as a Brazilian citizen while actually being born in Kaliningrad, Russia.
Cherkasov’s potential role as a bargaining chip in a prisoner swap between the United States and Russia has been suggested. The United States seeks to negotiate the release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who is currently detained in Russia on espionage allegations. Both Gershkovich and the Journal deny the charges, and the State Department asserts that he is wrongfully detained.
In conclusion, Brazilian justice officials have cited ongoing processing of a Russian request as the reason for not approving the U.S. extradition request for alleged Russian spy Sergey Cherkasov. Cherkasov’s lawyer denies the espionage charges, and his potential role in a prisoner swap has also been discussed.
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