Putin ratifes extradition deal with Turkey

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Russian President Vladimir Putin ratified Tuesday a treaty between Moscow and Ankara on mutual legal assistance in criminal cases, the Kremlin said.

The two countries agree to provide each other legal assistance in investigations, trials and other procedures, the Kremlin said in a statement.

It also allows for the extradition of people who are either suspects or already convicted.

The agreement was signed on Dec. 1, 2014 by the two countries at the fifth High-Level Cooperation Council (HLCC) meeting during Putin's visit to Ankara.

The State Duma, the lower house of Russia's parliament, adopted it on Feb. 17 and it was approved by the Federation Council on March 1.