Canada refuses to extradite wanted Nazi

 

Ottawa has cited a technicality in rejecting Moscow’s request for Yaroslav Hunka

The Canadian government has rejected A Russian request for the extradition of SS veteran Yaroslav Hunka, citing the lack of a relevant treaty between the two countries, Moscow's ambassador in Ottawa has confirmed.

Moscow had sent Ottawa an extradition request in December, based on charges against Hunka levied by the Russian Prosecutor-General’s Office. The 98-year-old Ukrainian-Canadian has publicly admitted volunteering to join the Waffen-SS Galicia Division during the Second World War, after he was honored with a standing ovation in the Canadian Parliament during last year’s visit by Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky.

“It is unlikely that the absence of an extradition treaty can serve as a reason for refusal,” Ambassador Oleg Stepanov said on Tuesday, calling it “an obvious politically motivated excuse.”

Stepanov pointed out that Canada could have charged Hunka with war crimes for his activity in the SS, but seems to have chosen not to. If Hunka lied about being a member of the SS on his citizenship application – as he obviously seems to have – then Ottawa could at very least strip him of citizenship, he added.  (more...)

Canada refuses to extradite wanted Nazi