Armenia releases American citizen to US Despite Russian extradition request

Armenia has transferred Eric Thomas Creamer, an American citizen, wanted by Russian authorities, to the United States.

Creamer, who was initially detained in Moscow in April 2017 on charges of drug possession, has long disputed the allegations, claiming the drugs were planted on him by police seeking a bribe of 500,000 rubles to drop the case, Caliber.Az reports per Georgian media. 

Although he was later released on his own recognizance and allowed to return to the US, he was placed on an interstate wanted list.

In 2021, Creamer was apprehended in Armenia while on vacation. Despite being held in Armenia, the authorities faced a dilemma: while they avoided extraditing him to Russia to prevent diplomatic strains, they also refrained from allowing him to return home. His attempt to seek political asylum in Armenia last year was denied.

With his release to the United States, the case highlights the complex interplay of international law and diplomacy involving extradition and asylum requests.