Supreme court reinstates arrest warrant for individual wanted by Russia

The Supreme Court of Cyprus has upheld an appeal by the Attorney General, reversing a previous decision that had canceled a temporary arrest warrant. The individual in question is sought by Russian authorities via a Red Notice issued following a request in December 2025. The suspect is wanted for serious crimes allegedly committed in Russia in April 2025, specifically conspiracy, attempted murder, illegal possession and use of firearms, and illegal possession of explosives. The accused arrived in Cyprus shortly before the warrant was issued. Previously, the Supreme Court had issued a Certiorari order to cancel the warrant, citing insufficient evidence linking the suspect to the crimes and noting that the Nicosia District Court had received only a simple description of events. However, the appellate court ruled that the previous legal reasoning regarding the evidence requirement was incorrect. The Supreme Court has now determined that the initial legal framework for issuing temporary warrants in extradition proceedings was misapplied. This decision effectively reinstates the legal basis for the suspect's arrest in Cyprus.