🇦🇲 Caucasus
Armenia
CIS conventions apply and surrenders to Russia do occur; at the same time Armenia is bound by the ECHR, so human-rights grounds work.
Author
INTERPOL PROTECTION Research Desk
Reviewed by
Legal Review Board
Overview
Armenia received a large relocation wave from Russia, yet legal proximity to Russia persists: the country participates in the CIS conventions (Minsk and Chisinau) and cooperates closely with Russian law enforcement. A legal basis for surrender exists and is used.
At the same time Armenia is a Council of Europe member: the ECHR applies, and human-rights grounds (risk of an unfair trial, political persecution) provide a working line of defence. Refusals and lengthy proceedings with release are known.
Bottom line: the risk is higher than in Georgia but lower than in Kazakhstan. Do not stay in Armenia with an unverified wanted status; with a confirmed notice, active defence beats waiting.
Legal system
Civil law; extradition is reviewed by the courts, with both CIS conventions and Council of Europe standards applicable.
Extradition practice
CIS conventions and bilateral ties to Russia create a real surrender channel with actual practice. Armenia does not extradite its citizens; human-rights grounds work in court.
INTERPOL cooperation
Close cooperation with Russian law enforcement (CSTO, EAEU); both Red Notices and direct requests operate.
Human rights & judicial review
A Council of Europe member: the ECHR applies, and ECtHR interim measures (Rule 39) against surrender are available.
Frequently asked questions
Does Armenia extradite to Russia?
The legal basis exists (CIS conventions) and there is practice. At the same time ECHR human-rights grounds work and refusals are known. The risk is real; the outcome depends on the quality of the defence.
What does Armenia's Council of Europe membership give?
ECHR applicability: political-persecution and Article 3 arguments, appeals, and ECtHR interim measures that suspend surrender.
Sources
- European Convention on Extradition (ETS No. 24) — Council of Europe
- Interpol Constitution and legal framework — Interpol
Version history
- v1.0 — Initial publication.
- v1.1 — Country overview update and legal review.