The Rusich military group founded by Voislav Torden has been accused of atrocities in Ukraine. Ukraine demanded that Finland hand over the man.
The Ministry of Justice has decided that Voislav Torden be set free. The ministry made the decision on the basis of the statement issued by the Supreme Court (KKO) today.
Torden’s assistant, licentiate in law, licensed attorney Natalia Malgina tells about the Ministry of Justice’s decision and Torden’s release. According to Malgina, the release will take place today.
According to Malgina, Torden has a valid residence permit in Finland.
Malgnina cannot yet say what will happen after the release, because the KKO’s decision came as a surprise. According to Malgina, it was expected to be given only after Christmas or around next year.
Malgina says that Torden has applied for asylum in Finland, but the processing is still in progress.
KKO decision: Torde should be released immediately
In its decision, the Supreme Court considered that Finland cannot agree to the extradition of Torden to Ukraine.
According to the Supreme Court’s decision, there are no longer any conditions for keeping Torden in custody to ensure possible extradition.
KKO orders Torden to be released immediately, unless there is another reason for the loss of freedom.
Ukraine has requested Torden, which is under the former name Jan Petrovski, extradition from Finland. KKO has now issued a statement regarding the extradition request to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Rusich military group founded by the man has been accused of atrocities in Ukraine.
KKO: the risk of inhumane treatment in Ukraine
KKO considers that there is a real danger that Torden may be placed in a prison in Ukraine where the conditions do not meet the requirements of humane treatment required by the European Convention on Human Rights.
The Ukrainian authorities have announced that the preliminary investigation and trial in Torden’s case would be carried out in the Dnipropetrovsk region and he would be placed in the nearest remand prison.
The KKO considers that the fact that the request for extradition has brought up the possibility of placing Torde in another remand prison, which is located further away from combat operations, is not of essential importance in the evaluation of the case.
In several decisions, the European Court of Human Rights has stated that prison conditions in Ukraine violate the Human Rights Convention due to the overcrowding of prisons and various repeated material deficiencies.
Imprisonment can be a threat to life and health
KKO refers not only to the decision-making practice of the European Court of Human Rights, but also to the decision of the Swedish Supreme Court in October, in which it considered that there was an obstacle to the extradition of a criminal suspect to Ukraine.
According to reports on the human rights situation in Ukraine, prison conditions in Ukraine have further deteriorated during the war and may pose a threat to life and health.
In addition, there have been reports of torture and violence, among other things, for persons who are suspected of collaborating with Russia.
Torden was arrested in July
The ex-commander of a notorious Russian group was arrested in July at Helsinki-Vantaa airport on suspicion of participating in the activities of a terrorist group and otherwise supporting the activities of a terrorist group.
The previous identity was revealed with the help of the Border Guard’s intelligence and face comparison. Torden is on the EU sanctions list under the name Jan Petrovski and is banned from entering Finland.
In order to ensure possible extradition, Torden’s detention was confirmed by the decision of the district court of Itä-Uusimaa on August 25.
The district court ordered that Torden be kept in custody also in September and October.
Helsingin Sanomat previously reported on the matter.
Story corrected on December 8, 2023 at 11:15 a.m.: Voislav Torden’s previous surname was Petrovski in the preamble of the story.
was there when the district court of Itä-Uusimaa began to discuss Torden’s imprisonment in August