Azerbaijan returns fugitives to Moldova, China

Azerbaijan has handed over two foreign nationals wanted internationally to the authorities of Moldova and China, the country’s General Prosecutor’s Office has confirmed.

Both individuals were arrested in Azerbaijan in 2025. Firuz Farhodovich Rustamov, 32, a citizen of Uzbekistan, was wanted by Moldovan authorities over traffic offences and the illegal operation of vehicles, Caliber.Az reports.

Xu Pengcheng, 52, a Chinese national, was sought by law enforcement in China for illegal business activities.

Following requests from the respective countries, the Azerbaijani General Prosecutor’s Office submitted the case files to the Baku Court for Serious Crimes.

The court approved the extraditions, which were carried out in line with the European Convention on Extradition of December 13, 1957 and a bilateral treaty between Azerbaijan and China.

Both individuals were escorted by a special convoy from Azerbaijan’s Penitentiary Service of the Ministry of Justice.

By Aghakazim Guliyev