Moscow Welcomes Turkey's Decision To Request Udugov's Extradition Files

The Russian presidential Information Department reported to RIA Novosti on Wednesday that Moscow had welcomed Turkey's decision to ask the Russian side to submit the so-called extradition files necessary to "consider the request for the arrest and extradition of Russian citizen Movladi Udugov," the ideologist of Chechen separatists and an active Chechen militant. "We consider it an example of Ankara's readiness to cooperate with Moscow in the fight against international terrorism," the Information Department said. A spokesman for the Department recalled that the request to extradite Udugov was sent to Turkey some 18 months ago and so far there had been no response to it. The Information Department assumes that Turkey's position "was prompted by the world developments, in particular, by the anti-terrorist operation of international forces in Afghanistan." The Russian side hopes that the issue proves that Turkey's intention not to encourage members of international terrorist organisations to stay on its territory is serious. Udugov who has been put on the international wanted list is such a member, the Department stated. The Main Department of the Prosecutor General's Office in the North Caucasus stressed that all the documents necessary for Udugov's extradition files had already been drafted. According to some Arab media, Movladi Udugov is hiding in a country of the Persian Gulf.