Alexei Kudin— a former world champion kickboxer and MMA fighter best known for competing in the M-1 Global heavyweight division—is facing possible extradition from Russia to his homeland of Belarus, where it is feared he may be tortured.
Kudin was detained in Moscow after fleeing political persecution in Belarus several months ago, according to the Belarusian Sports Solidarity Fund. The news was later confirmed by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
The heavyweight fighter took part in the pro-democracy protests against dictator Alexander Lukashenko following the August 9, 2020 presidential election. During the anti-government demonstration, Kudin reportedly“assaulted” a security officer and knocked him unconscious after security forces attacked the peaceful protestors.