MOSCOW, April 3 (RAPSI) – Moscow is protesting the extradition of a Russian national from Costa Rica to America (at US request), because it was done in violation of the proper procedure and contrary to international law, said Konstantin Dolgov, the Russian Foreign Ministry’s commissioner for human rights, democracy and the rule of law.

Maxim Chukharev, 27, is wanted in the United States on money laundering charges relating to his involvement in Liberty Reserve, a so-called “digital currency” which the United States alleges was the largest money laundering operation in history.

According to US authorities, Liberty Reserve, which operated from Costa Rica, laundered more than $6 billion in illicit proceeds. Chukharev was allegedly in charge of the operation’s technical infrastructure.  He now faces up to 20 years in prison in the United States.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said that Chukharev was extradited in violation of procedural law and accepted international regulations. “The Russian Embassy in Costa Rica was not officially notified of the Costa Rican authorities’ decision to extradite a Russian national to a third country,” it said in a statement. “They have denied him his right to meet with lawyers, representatives of the Russian Embassy or his relatives.”

Dolgov said that Moscow had repeatedly urged Costa Rica “to act responsibly and not to contribute to the complete disregard for the law” by US authorities against Russian nationals.

Russian diplomats have again appealed to their US counterparts to act in compliance with the 1999 bilateral agreement on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters. The Russian Foreign Ministry will continue to demand that Maxim Chukharev’s rights and interests as a Russian national be honored.