Russian Governor’s Son Requests Extradition to Russia Rather than U.S.

On January 17, Artem Uss, son of Russian governor Alexander Uss, asked an Italian court to extradite him to Russia rather than the United States.[1]  Uss was arrested in mid-October 2022 at Milan’s Malpensa Airport pursuant to a request by the U.S. authorities relating to sanctions evasion, money laundering, and oil smuggling.  Soon after his arrest, Russia brought money laundering charges against Uss and said they will request his extradition as well.  While not all the details of both matters are openly known, the timing of Russia’s charges against and the notable status of the defendant has introduced the possibility that Russia is more interested in protecting the family of high-level officials and spiting America, rather than justice.