Armenia’s Ministry of Justice has stated that it has not received any requests for the extradition of two Syrian nationals sentenced to life imprisonment for participating in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war.
The two men, Mehred Muhammad al-Shkheri and Youssef Alabed al-Hajji, were convicted by the Syunik Regional Court in May 2021 for taking part in hostilities against Nagorno-Karabakh. They are currently held at the Yerevan penitentiary under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice.
According to the ministry, the men cannot be extradited under Armenian law, as they are not internationally wanted for crimes or to serve additional sentences. Both are recognized as convicted offenders serving court-imposed sentences in Armenia.
Al-Shkheri and Al-Hajji were found guilty of terrorism, international terrorism, violations of international humanitarian law during armed conflict, and participation in mercenary activities.
