Spanish court orders extradition of Kazakh fugitive banker's bodyguard
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 23 July 2013 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Spanish court orders extradition of Kazakh fugitive banker's bodyguard, 23 July 2013, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5208949fa.html [accessed 21 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
July 23, 2013
By RFE/RL
Disgraced businessman Mukhtar Ablyazov
Lawyers for a former bodyguard and close associate of Kazakh fugitive oligarch Mukhtar Ablyazov say they will appeal a Spanish court's ruling to extradite their client to Kazakhstan.
A Madrid court issued the decision regarding Aleksandr Pavlov on July 22. Pavlov is sought by Astana on bank-fraud and terrorism charges.
Pavlov's lawyers say the charges are baseless and aimed at obtaining information on Ablyazov's whereabouts. Ablyazov, a wealthy former banker and influential opposition figure, fled Kazakhstan in 2009. His current location is unknown.
He faces embezzlement charges in Kazakhstan.
Ablyazov's wife and 6-year-old daughter were extradited from Italy to Kazkakhstan in May.
They were expelled despite having valid residence permits.
A senior Italian civil servant resigned over the wrongful deportation.
In 2011, Britain granted Ablyazov political asylum.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
