Ex-minister's extradition decision violates rights of Nikulin: Czech court

Former Czech Justic Minister Robert Pelikan violated the rights of alleged hacker Yevgeny Nikulin when he decided to extradite him to the United States, the Czech Constitutional Court ruled on Tuesday.

The judges overturned Pelikan's decision following an appeal from Nikulin, a Russian citizen who was accused of hacking major internet firms such as LinkedIn and Dropbox, and was handed over to the United States later.

Nikulin was arrested in Prague in 2016. He might face up to 30 years in jail if found guilty in the U.S.

Russia also issued an arrest warrant for Nikulin's online theft of finances in 2009. The Russian side officially asked the Czech Justice Ministry for Nikulin's extradition with a request issued on November 16, 2016, and based on an arrest warrant from November 10, 2016.

But Pelikan said that the U.S. request seemed more reasonable, so it was "an easy decision made long ago". Nikulin was handed over the U.S. officials in March 2018.

Nikulin has denied the allegation that he was a hacker.