MOSCOW, June 5 (RAPSI) – Russian pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko, who is serving a 20-year sentence in the US for conspiracy to smuggle cocaine, is set to file a complaint with Russian authorities over alleged violations of his rights, RIA Novosti reported on Friday, citing Yaroshenko's wife.

Viktoria Yaroshenko said that her spouse would address his petition to the Foreign Ministry, the Prosecutor General’s Office and the Justice Ministry.

She said she expected to receive the letter from her spouse in the next few days and would deliver it to the above Russian agencies. 

Konstantin Yaroshenko was arrested in Liberia on May 28, 2010 and flown to the United States soon afterwards. On September 7, 2011, he was sentenced to 20 years in prison for colluding to smuggle cocaine into the United States. He was caught after replying to an advertisement posted by US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents who claimed they were selling a cargo plane for $1. 

He is serving time in the Federal Correctional Institution in Fort Dix, New Jersey. 

In late May, a US court rejected his appeal for a retrial. The Russian Foreign Ministry said this is evidence that Yaroshenko’s conviction was politically influenced.

It was reported in February 2014 that Yaroshenko experienced strong migraine headaches and heart pain, which could be symptoms of a possible heart attack. Moscow has repeatedly expressed concern over the pilot’s health and pledged to continue working to ensure respect for his rights in the United States.