A Chamber of the Second Section of the European Court of Human Rights decided at its meeting on 26 November 2002 not to extend the period of application of an interim measure (adopted on 4 October 2002) under Rule 39 of the Rules of Court which was due to expire at midnight on 26 November. The measure had consisted in an indication to the Georgian authorities that the extradition to Russia of several suspected terrorists of Chechen origin should be stayed pending receipt of more detailed information concerning the circumstances surrounding the extradition (see press releases nos. 486 and 552).

The Court decided that, in the light of the undertakings given by the Russian authorities, which included guarantees of unhindered access for the applicants to appropriate medical treatment, legal advice and the Court itself, the Rule 39 interim measure could be lifted. The Russian authorities had further undertaken that the applicants would not face capital punishment and that their health and safety would be protected.

The Georgian authorities, for their part, were likewise satisfied that the Russian Government had provided them with all the necessary guarantees regarding the future treatment of the applicants if extradited. The applicants, on the other hand, had requested that the interim measure remain in force.

Other issues will be examined in the context of the main proceedings, which have been given priority by the Court.

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