Justice Minister Adel Nassar met with Bulgaria's ambassador to Lebanon to discuss the extradition of the Russian owner of the Rhosus cargo ship, arrested earlier this week in Sofia.

Nassar received Bulgarian diplomat Iassen Tomov at the Ministry of Justice, alongside Public Defender Emily Mirna Kallas. The meeting focused on judicial and diplomatic procedures surrounding Igor Grechushkin, who also holds Cypriot citizenship, and the ship’s captain.

Grechushkin was detained at Sofia airport on September 5 in execution of an Interpol Red Notice, following an absentee arrest warrant issued at the request of Lebanese authorities.

Minister Nassar expressed appreciation for Bulgaria’s cooperation and coordination, with both sides agreeing to maintain close communication to ensure the swift transfer of the detainee knowing that Lebanon and Bulgaria have a bilateral extradition treaty. 

The Rhosus ship, which became notorious after carrying ammonium nitrate that later caused the 2020 Beirut port explosion, remains a focal point of legal and investigative scrutiny in Lebanon.