I strongly deplore that the Spanish government has decided to extradite Aleksandr Pavlov to Kazakhstan in a decision that was not immediately made public, and despite credible evidence that he would risk torture upon his return. If the Spanish authorities send Aleksandr Pavlov back, they will violate Spain's international legal obligations. Diplomatic assurances cannot be treated as providing safety in a country with such a poor human rights record. I therefore join the appeals from international human rights organisations to reverse this regrettable decision and grant Mr. Pavlov asylum in Spain.

Moreover, Spanish authorities have not yet responded to my request to visit Mr. Pavlov in prison in Madrid, even though I made the request in December last year. I hereby urge them to allow me to visit Mr. Pavlov in prison without further delay.