German ministry declines to confirm request to extradite Bertram Schmitt

Germany's Justice Ministry declined to confirm receipt of a Russian request to extradite Bertram Schmitt, citing confidentiality, RIA Novosti reported on October 9.

The ministry said it does not disclose details of legal assistance or extradition requests and related investigations. Its response neither confirms receipt nor constitutes a refusal to extradite.

Russia's Prosecutor General's Office announced a day earlier that it had sent requests to the Netherlands and other countries concerning nine International Criminal Court representatives, including Schmitt. RBC and Vedomosti also reported the announcement.

In December 2025, a Moscow court sentenced the nine in absentia to prison terms of 3.5 to 15 years. The Russian charges concerned prosecution, detention and actions against internationally protected persons or institutions. No German decision on the merits was reported.