Putin sends Panama extradition agreement to be ratified by State Duma

President Vladimir Putin has sent an extradition agreement signed with Panama to be ratified by Russia's State Duma.

The deal was originally signed almost a year ago on April 29, 2015. The bilateral agreement obliges both countries to extradite individuals who have been requested for criminal questioning.

“The agreement aims to strengthen the international legal framework for cooperation between Russia and the Republic of Panama in the extradition of individuals who have committed a crime,” the document says.

Ratification of the agreement takes place against the backdrop of the recently released Panama Papers investigation. The investigation looks into leaked documents from legal services firm Mossack Fonseca in order to expose criminal activities surrounding offshore tax havens.

The Panama Papers have information on transactions carried out by various Russian companies and citizens, including a close friend of Putin's, Sergei Roldugin.

Information on the agreement can be found on the State Duma's electronic database.