Armenia Refuses Russia's Informal Bid to Take Custody of Deserter, Activists Say

Armenian authorities have refused to hand over a former Russian soldier to Russian military officials who sought to take him into custody, according to human rights activists. The soldier, Semyon Subbotin, 25, is wanted in Russia for desertion after refusing to participate in the war in Ukraine.
Subbotin, who served as a radio operator and rifleman in Russia's Strategic Missile Forces, left the country in September 2024 with assistance from the anti-war project "Idite Lesom" ("Go Through the Woods"). He was later placed on an interstate wanted list by Moscow after a criminal case was opened against him for unauthorized abandonment of his military post.
According to activists, Subbotin voluntarily approached police in Yerevan to formalize his status in Armenia. This initiated a standard 72-hour detention, during which Russian authorities are expected to provide documents for a formal extradition hearing in an Armenian court.
Instead of following the legal procedure, Russian military personnel reportedly arrived at the detention facility and attempted to take Subbotin into custody directly. Following intervention from human rights lawyers who alerted Armenian police and prosecutors to a risk of abduction, Armenian authorities released Subbotin after the 72-hour period expired. He is currently free.
While an informal attempt to secure his transfer was blocked, Russia can still formally request his extradition through the courts. If no such request is filed within 40 days, Armenian authorities may unilaterally cancel the wanted notice.