A civilised state cannot hide terrorists: Medvedev

Image: Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev (L) shakes hands with PM Manmohan Singh after signing of agreements ceremony in New Delhi on Tuesday
Photographs: B Mathur/Reuters

Russia on Tuesday said a modern, civilised state cannot hide terrorists and should extradite them if it is interested in cooperating in the fight against terrorism.

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'Terrorists are criminals; must be extradited'

Image: President Medvedev attends a joint news conference with PM Singh in New Delhi on Tuesday
Photographs: B Mathur/Reuters

Addressing a press conference after talks with Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said "terrorists are criminals ... they should be extradited to be punished. Those who hide terrorists conceal criminals."

He was replying to a question on how Russia looked at safe-havens of terror operations in the region and how it can expand cooperation with India in dealing with this menace.

'International cooperation required to curb terrorism'

Image: President Medvedev and PM Singh walk before their meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday
Photographs: B Mathur/Reuters

"We understand that the extradition process is quite complicated but it is important that international cooperation in this field should be in place between all those interested in fight against terrorism," Medvedev said.

"I believe that no modern civilised state can hide terrorists as law abiding citizens and cannot proceed on the assumption that they will change," he said.

'Terrorists must be punished'

Image: President Medvedev and PM Singh walk before their meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday
Photographs: B Mathur/Reuters

"They are subject to punishment for the evils they have committed. To extradite them we need legal, bilateral frameworks, bilateral agreements between two countries. Once they are in place they should be applied between countries, including countries in this region," the Russian president said.

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