Bulgarian Court Rejects Extradition of Beirut Blast Suspect Igor Grechushkin

Extradition Request Denied Over Death Penalty Concerns

A Bulgarian court on December 11, 2025, rejected an extradition request from Lebanon for Igor Grechushkin, the Russian-Cypriot owner of the vessel linked to the catastrophic 2020 Beirut port explosion. The court's decision was based on a lack of adequate assurances from Lebanese authorities that Grechushkin would not face the death penalty if extradited.

Ekaterina Dimitrova, Grechushkin's lawyer, confirmed that the court found Lebanon 'did not provide sufficient evidence to ensure that the death penalty will not be imposed on him or, if imposed, will not be carried out.'

Background of the Beirut Port Explosion

The August 4, 2020, explosion at the Port of Beirut was one of the largest non-nuclear blasts in history. It resulted in the deaths of at least 218 to 220 people, injured over 6,000 individuals, and devastated large sections of the Lebanese capital. The disaster was caused by the detonation of 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, which had been stored unsafely at the port for years after being confiscated from the cargo ship MV Rhosus.

Igor Grechushkin, 48, who holds both Russian and Cypriot citizenship, was identified by Lebanese authorities as the owner of the MV Rhosus. He was arrested in Sofia, Bulgaria, in September 2025, following an Interpol red notice issued at Lebanon's request.

Legal Proceedings and Future Steps

Lebanese judicial authorities have accused Grechushkin of serious offenses, including 'entering explosives into Lebanon, a terrorist act that resulted in the death of a large number of people, and disabling the engine with the intention of sinking the ship.' A previous extradition hearing in November 2025 was postponed as Bulgarian judges sought explicit guarantees regarding the death penalty, which the court ultimately deemed insufficient.

Despite the rejection, Grechushkin will remain in custody. Angel Kanev, the supervising prosecutor, stated that the prosecution intends to appeal the decision to the Sofia Court of Appeal. Kanev argued that assurances provided by the Lebanese Minister of Justice, Supreme Court, and Prosecutor General should be considered sufficient. A Lebanese judicial source indicated that while Beirut 'could not change its laws on a case-by-case basis,' it is working to reassure Bulgaria and plans to appeal the decision. The source also noted that the investigative judge could still question Grechushkin in Bulgaria.

Ongoing Quest for Justice

The investigation into the Beirut blast has faced numerous challenges, including legal and political disputes, leading to delays and public frustration among victims' families. The Bulgarian court's insistence on human rights protocols, particularly concerning the death penalty, highlights the complexities of international extradition cases, even for crimes of such magnitude.