Ecuador may refuse to extradite Belarusian policeman

This statement was made by President of Ecuador Rafael Correa on August 22.

Before the president makes his decision, the country's highest court – National Court of Ecuador – should issue its ruling, the Russian-language website Ecuador Today reports. Correa says he would like not to estimate the situation before a court ruling is delivered. Nevertheless, he denied rumours that the former policeman was detained to please Alyaksandr Lukashenka, who was on a visit to Ecuador this June, rusecuador.ru informs.

We remind official Minsk is seeking the extradition of Alexander Barankov, who was granted asylum in Ecuador. The former police captain claims he is being prosecuted on political motives. His lawyer Fernando Lara says Barankov may face the death penalty in Belarus on accusations of treason.

The Belarusian law-enforcement agencies however say Barankov is suspected of corruption, extortion and blackmailing.

Marco Albuja, the country's deputy foreign minister, reminded that Ecuador's main human rights principle was not to extradite a citizen whose life is at risk, from the death penalty or life in prison. This is the main argument to be taken into account by the president,  Albuja assures.