Ismailov received political asylum in Montenegro

Baku/23.10.21/Turan: Montenegro has provided political asylum to the former owner of the Cherkizovsky market in Moscow, a businessman of Azerbaijani origin Telman Ismailov and will not extradite him to Russia. This decision was made by the Supreme Court in Podgorica, local newspaper Vijesti reported.

"A person who has been granted asylum cannot be extradited," the message says. The Supreme Court judge Vladimir Novovich ruled to immediately release Ismailov from the extradition facility. He explained that there are no more reasons to keep him in custody, since the Ministry of Internal Affairs approved the businessman's request and approved his right to stay in Montenegro.

"The accused has been granted international protection because of the political persecution in the country, which requires his extradition,"  the portal quotes the judge's decision.

Ismailov, one of the richest businessmen in Russia, faced massive pressure from law enforcement agencies in 2009. Its main asset, the Cherkizovsky market, was closed. Then he lost all of his other objects. At that time, Ismayilov's assets were estimated at 600-800 million dollars.

Ismailov and his brother Vagif are now on the international wanted list. In Russia, they are accused of murder and illegal arms trafficking. In early October, the businessman was detained in Podgorica. The Russian Prosecutor General's Office sent a request for his extradition to Montenegro.

A native of Azerbaijan, Telman Ismayilov, a mountain Jew, became rich on the wave of perestroika in the early 90s. -02В-