In a significant development that could reshape the long-stalled Beirut blast investigation, a Bulgarian court has delayed the extradition of Russian-Cypriot national Igor Grechushkin – the ship operator linked to the deadly 2020 port explosion in Lebanon – until Beirut provides written assurances that he will not face the death penalty. The decision underscores Europe’s strict adherence to human rights protocols in extradition cases, even when the suspect is tied to one of the deadliest non-nuclear explosions in modern history.

The Sofia City Court announced on November 10 that Lebanon must provide a formal guarantee by December 1 confirming that Grechushkin would not be sentenced to death if handed over. The court’s move reflects Bulgaria’s compliance with both domestic law and European human rights standards, which prohibit extradition to countries where suspects risk execution.

“The court, acting within its legal powers, requested additional guarantees from the Lebanese state that the accused, Mr. Grechushkin, will not be subjected to the death penalty for the offenses for which extradition is sought,” said Deputy Sofia City Prosecutor Angel Kanev during a press briefing.

Grechushkin’s defense counsel, Ekaterina Dimitrova, confirmed to the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) that the court accepted her objection regarding the lack of assurances from Beirut. She argued that extraditing her client without such guarantees would violate Bulgaria’s obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights.

“Lebanon’s........

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