Thursday, April 30, 2015

Oligarch Will Not Be Extradited- BBC

Austria rejects US bid to extradite Dmytro Firtash

 

TO SEE PIX ETC:

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-32544699

Austria rejects US bid to extradite Dmytro Firtash

  • 1 hour ago
  • From the section Europe


Dmytro Firtash argues that the US has fallen for disinformation about him supplied by his enemies in Ukraine

A court in Austria has turned down a US request for the extradition of the Ukrainian oligarch Dmytro Firtash.
It ruled the evidence presented by the US was not enough to justify his extradition on corruption charges.

Mr Firtash denies conspiring to pay millions of dollars in bribes to Indian mining officials through US banks.

The tycoon - one of Ukraine's richest men - was an ally of ousted leader Viktor Yanukovych. He was arrested but got bail in Vienna a year ago.
His gas and chemicals business thrived before Mr Yanukovych was overthrown and fled to Russia in February 2014.

'Smear campaign'

The billionaire business magnate told the court that accusations that he had plotted to bribe India government officials to win licenses to mine titanium were "absolutely untrue".



Mr Firtash (R) was seen as a key backer of Viktor Yanukovych during his presidency
A US grand jury in 2013 indicted Mr Firtash, along with a member of India's parliament and four others. The US Justice Department alleges that at least $18.5m (£11m) was transferred through US financial institutions to be used as bribes.
He has consistently argued that he has been the victim of a political smear campaign.
"I have already expressed many times my confidence in the Austrian justice system. Today this confidence has proven to be justified," he said in a statement on Thursday issued by his lawyers.
Judge Christoph Bauer said Mr Firtash should remain on bail and stay in Austria until his order is legally binding.
Correspondents say that the legal manoeuvrings in his case are likely to continue for some time, because prosecutors have filed an appeal against the ruling.
A Vienna court last year set bail at €125m ($173m; £102m), a record for Austria.

More on this story

Related Internet links

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external Internet sites
 
More Videos from the BBC

  • Chernobyl forest fire contained
  • Ash from Chile's Calbuco volcano


  • Deadly storms batter New South Wales
  • Sting in the tail to dry and warm April


  • The rape of Berlin

    How Soviet troops took revenge on German women


    Frozen journey

    The migration of the eagle hunters


    7 days quiz

    What's Batman about to reveal?


    Culture warriors

    The teams saving history from war and weather


    Modern love

    A new home for some of America's best art


    Urban acrobats

    The women flocking to take up Parkour


    Fat fighting

    What happens at Weight Watchers clubs?


    Clear day

    How accurate were the first weather forecasts 150 years ago?

    Elsewhere on the BBC

     

    • 1 hour ago
    • From the section Europe


    Dmytro Firtash argues that the US has fallen for disinformation about him supplied by his enemies in Ukraine

    A court in Austria has turned down a US request for the extradition of the Ukrainian oligarch Dmytro Firtash.
    It ruled the evidence presented by the US was not enough to justify his extradition on corruption charges.
    Mr Firtash denies conspiring to pay millions of dollars in bribes to Indian mining officials through US banks.
    The tycoon - one of Ukraine's richest men - was an ally of ousted leader Viktor Yanukovych. He was arrested but got bail in Vienna a year ago.
    His gas and chemicals business thrived before Mr Yanukovych was overthrown and fled to Russia in February 2014.

    'Smear campaign'

    The billionaire business magnate told the court that accusations that he had plotted to bribe India government officials to win licenses to mine titanium were "absolutely untrue".



    Mr Firtash (R) was seen as a key backer of Viktor Yanukovych during his presidency
    A US grand jury in 2013 indicted Mr Firtash, along with a member of India's parliament and four others. The US Justice Department alleges that at least $18.5m (£11m) was transferred through US financial institutions to be used as bribes.
    He has consistently argued that he has been the victim of a political smear campaign.
    "I have already expressed many times my confidence in the Austrian justice system. Today this confidence has proven to be justified," he said in a statement on Thursday issued by his lawyers.
    Judge Christoph Bauer said Mr Firtash should remain on bail and stay in Austria until his order is legally binding.
    Correspondents say that the legal manoeuvrings in his case are likely to continue for some time, because prosecutors have filed an appeal against the ruling.
    A Vienna court last year set bail at €125m ($173m; £102m), a record for Austria.

    More on this story

    Related Internet links

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external Internet sites
     
    More Videos from the BBC

  • Chernobyl forest fire contained
  • Ash from Chile's Calbuco volcano


  • Deadly storms batter New South Wales
  • Sting in the tail to dry and warm April


  • The rape of Berlin

    How Soviet troops took revenge on German women


    Frozen journey

    The migration of the eagle hunters


    7 days quiz

    What's Batman about to reveal?


    Culture warriors

    The teams saving history from war and weather


    Modern love

    A new home for some of America's best art


    Urban acrobats

    The women flocking to take up Parkour


    Fat fighting

    What happens at Weight Watchers clubs?


    Clear day

    How accurate were the first weather forecasts 150 years ago?

    Elsewhere on the BBC

    No comments:

    Post a Comment

    Please leave a comment-- or suggestions, particularly of topics and places you'd like to see covered