FACT CHECK: Is Putin Demanding Dr. Fauci Be Extradited To Russia For ‘Crimes Against Humanity?’

A screenshot of a headline shared on Facebook claims Russian President Vladimir Putin is purportedly demanding Dr. Anthony Fauci be extradited to Russia for alleged “crimes against humanity” as part of a peace deal with Ukraine.

Verdict: False

The claim is false and originally stems from a Jan. 22 article published on “The People’s Voice,” a website that is known for spreading “fake news.”

Fact Check:

President Donald Trump recently terminated Fauci’s security detail, CNN reported. Following the move, Fauci has hired his own private security detail, according to the outlet.

“Putin ‘Demanding Fauci Extradition’ for ‘Crimes Against Humanity’ as Part of Ukraine Peace Deal,” the purported headline shared via the Facebook image reads. “Sounds like WINNING to me!” the post’s caption follows.

The claim is false and originally stems from a Jan. 22 article published on “The People’s Voice,” a website that is known for spreading “fake news.” A “Liability Disclaimer” included on the site’s “Terms of Use” page indicates it “makes no representations about the suitability, reliability, availability, timeliness, and accuracy of the information, software, products, services and related graphics contained on the site for any purpose.”

The site, which has previously been known as “NewsPunch” and “YourNewsWire,” is described as “one of the most well-known purveyors of fake news online,” according to a 2019 article from Mashable.

According to the Jan. 22 article, “Putin claims that Dr. Fauci played a pivotal role in what he calls ‘the global COVID deception,’ accusing him of facilitating harmful policies and actions that had devastating consequences worldwide.”

Likewise, Check Your Fact did not find the claim referenced on the Kremlin’s website or its verified X account. In addition, Check Your Fact did not find any credible news reports to support the claim. Actually, the opposite is true. Both Snopes and Lead Stories debunked the claim, tracing its origins to the same article from “The People’s Voice.” (RELATED: Did ICE Offer $750 To People Reporting Illegal Immigrants?)

Furthermore, according to 18 U.S. Code Chapter 29, Section 3181, U.S. citizens can only be extradited to countries that have a treaty.

“The provisions of this chapter relating to the surrender of persons who have committed crimes in foreign countries shall continue in force only during the existence of any treaty of extradition with such foreign government.

The provisions of this chapter shall be construed to permit, in the exercise of comity, the surrender of persons, other than citizens, nationals, or permanent residents of the United States, who have committed crimes of violence against nationals of the United States in foreign countries without regard to the existence of any treaty of extradition with such foreign government if the Attorney General certifies, in writing, that (1) evidence has been presented by the foreign government that indicates that had the offenses been committed in the United States, they would constitute crimes of violence as defined under section 16 of this title; and (2) the offenses charged are not of a political nature,” the section reads.

According to Wikipedia, the U.S. does not have an extradition treaty with Russia.

Check Your Fact has contacted a legal expert for comment.