MOSCOW, May 16 (RAPSI) - Human Rights Commissioner Tatiana Moskalkova has sent U.S authorities a request to transfer pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko convicted of conspiracy to smuggle cocaine to Russia for serving his sentence, the ombudsman’s press office has told RAPSI.

Moskalkova has prepared a letter to the U.S. Prosecutor General’s Office. Moreover, she has forwarded a similar request to the bodies supervising American penal system, the statement reads. In her request, the human rights commissioner also described Yaroshenko’s health condition and asked to grant him medical aid and relevant conditions of confinement.

According to the ombudsman, the problem is complicated by the fact that Russia and the United States do not have a prisoner transfer agreement. However, the issue may be settled in line with the principle of reciprocity, the press service quoted Moskalkova as having said.

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 the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents who claimed they were selling a cargo plane for $1.

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

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 of his rights in the United States.

In May 2016, a U.S. court dismissed his appeal for retrial. Russia’s Foreign Ministry said this is evidence that Yaroshenko’s conviction was politically influenced.

In April 2018, U.S. President Donald Trump refused to pardon Yaroshenko.