Russia's Prosecutor General's Office and the U.S. Justice Department have agreed to sign a memorandum on cooperation in order to work together on criminal matters, in a move that could put the thorny issue of extradition between the two countries up for discussion.
The agreement was reached at a meeting that took place between both sides on the sidelines of the International Conference of Prosecutors, currently being held in Moscow, Interfax reported Wednesday.
“The two sides continued discussions about international cooperation, primarily in connection with the fight against crime and the defense of human rights,” Russian prosecutors said in a statement.
The participants in the meeting agreed on the need to collaborate more effectively on criminal matters, including the institution of extradition and mutual legal assistance.
Deputy Assistant Attorney General Bruce Swartz, who headed the U.S. delegation, said the American side would soon put forward their proposal outlining how they think cooperation could be implemented.
The Russian side in the discussion was led by Deputy Prosecutor General Alexander Zvyagintsev.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.