Moldova will not extradite Igor Velcev, the supposed murderer of the Russian journalist Ilia Zimin

Moldova will not extradite Igor Velcev, the alleged murderer of the Russian journalist of NTV station, Ilia Zimin. The Resolution of the General Prosecutor of Moldova from August 1 ordered to institute penal proceedings against Velcev for committing murder and theft, and the penal case was sent to the General Department of Penal Investigation of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in order to continue penal investigations. According to the Press Service of the General Prosecution Office, quoted by Info-Prim Neo, Velcev was not delivered to the Russian authorities because he is a citizen of the Republic of Moldova and according to the article 546 of the Penal Procedure Code, Moldova does not extradite its own citizens. Law enforcement bodies of the Russian Federation were hunting for Velcev, suspected of murdering the correspondent of “NTV” Company, Ilia Zimin as well as for the theft committed in the apartment of Zimin on February 26, 2006. On June 23, Velcev was arrested on the territory of Moldova.