Russia Asks Georgia To Extradite Army Deserter

MOSCOW -- The Russian Prosecutor-General's Office has officially asked Georgian authorities to extradite Russian Army Sergeant Aleksandr Glukhov, RFE/RL's Russian Service reports.

Glukhov left his military unit in South Ossetia and went to Georgia proper in January, where he officially asked for political asylum.

Prosecutor-General's Office spokeswoman Marina Gridneva says that Glukhov is considered a deserter and would face military trial if Tbilisi does extradite him to Russia.

The Georgian Interior Ministry said last month that it would not consider extraditing Glukhov until his asylum case is decided.

Glukhov's mother went to Russian-controlled South Ossetia in February and was finally allowed earlier this month to meet with her son.

Russian authorities assert that Glukhov might have been kidnapped by Georgian troops.