You're reading: Melnychenko asks court not to extradite him to Ukraine

A court in Naples on Monday took no decision regarding the extradition of former State Department Guard Major Mykola Melnychenko to Ukraine, his lawyer, Mykola Nedilko, has said.

“A court in Naples took no final decision regarding the extradition of Melnychenko to Ukraine, because during a court hearing Melnychenko made a statement that he opposes extradition,” he told reporters on Monday.

He said that now the Italian Justice Ministry should consider this application within ten days and make a decision. If it is decided to extradite Melnychenko to Ukraine, the hearing on this issue will continue.

“If Melnychenko’s request is granted, then he must be released,” the lawyer said.

As reported, reports said on August 3 that Melnychenko had been arrested at Naples Airport on a warrant issued by the Ukrainian bureau of Interpol.