IRKUTSK, August 26 (RAPSI) – A growing number of fugitives wanted by Russia flee abroad where they apply for asylum, Deputy Prosecutor General Alexander Zvyagintsev said on Tuesday.

“It has become more common for people wanted [by Russia] to seek asylum in a foreign state in order to avoid extradition or to drag out the extradition process until a statute in a criminal actions case expires,” Zvyagintsev said at the International Conference of Prosecutors held in Irkutsk.

He said this calls for close cooperation between the countries.

Extradition procedures as well as the handling of asylum applications should be reviewed in order to adjust their regulation both on the national and international levels, Zvyagintsev said.