Igor Grechushkin’s extradition denied

A Bulgarian court has refused Lebanon’s request to extradite Russian-Cypriot shipowner Igor Grechushkin, marking a significant development in the long-stalled effort to pursue accountability for the 2020 Beirut port blast.

The court ruled that Lebanese authorities failed to offer sufficient guarantees that Grechushkin would be protected from the death penalty; an assurance required under Bulgarian and EU extradition standards. The decision comes amid continued frustration over delays in Lebanon’s own investigation into the disaster that devastated its capital and left hundreds dead.

Court cites inadequate assurances from Lebanon

Grechushkin was detained in Sofia in September 2025 following an Interpol red notice issued at Lebanon’s request. His vessel, the Rhosus, transported the ammonium nitrate that later exploded at Beirut’s port on 4 August 2020. The blast killed more than 200 people, wounded thousands, and destroyed entire districts of the city, becoming one of the largest non-nuclear explosions ever recorded.

After a closed hearing, the Sofia City Court ruled that Lebanon had not provided the level of legal protection required to allow extradition. Grechushkin’s attorney, Ekaterina Dimitrova, said the judges concluded that “Lebanon’s submissions were insufficient to guarantee that the death penalty would not be imposed or carried out.”

Bulgarian law prohibits extradition when the requesting state cannot ensure that a suspect will not face capital punishment, even if the death penalty is rarely implemented. The court maintained that Lebanon’s assurances did not meet the binding legal standard demanded under European human rights frameworks.

Bulgarian prosecution to appeal

The decision sparked immediate pushback from Bulgarian prosecutors, who insist the necessary assurances were indeed provided. Supervising prosecutor Angel Kanev said the commitments came directly from Lebanon’s justice minister and were reinforced by the Supreme Court and the Prosecutor General, which he described as “the competent authorities.”

“When clear assurances are issued at that level, the conditions for extradition are met,” Kanev told reporters. He confirmed that Grechushkin will remain in custody as the prosecution appeals the ruling before the Sofia Court of Appeal.

Lebanese reaction and implications for the investigation

In Beirut, a Lebanese judicial source acknowledged Bulgaria’s concerns but noted that Lebanon cannot change its penal code “on a case-by-case basis.” The source said Lebanese authorities were examining alternative ways to reassure Bulgaria while still planning to challenge the decision.

Despite the setback, Lebanese investigators may still have the chance to question Grechushkin in Bulgaria. The judicial source described this possibility as “a temporary victory,” emphasizing the importance of obtaining testimony from the man whose ship brought the explosive material to Beirut.

Lebanon’s domestic investigation has struggled to move forward due to political pressure and repeated legal challenges. Judge Tarek Bitar, the current investigative judge, resumed his probe earlier this year but has yet to issue a long-awaited preliminary indictment.

In conclusion, the Bulgarian court’s rejection adds a new layer of complexity to efforts to uncover the full chain of responsibility behind the 2020 Beirut explosion. While the decision may delay Lebanon’s ability to question a key figure in the case, the forthcoming appeal, and the possibility of conducting testimony in Bulgaria, provides a narrow path for continued progress. For victims’ families who have endured years of stalled justice, the case remains a critical test of international cooperation and the broader quest for accountability.