Ukrainian oligarch placed in extradition custody
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 14 March 2014 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Ukrainian oligarch placed in extradition custody, 14 March 2014, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/534d2ea411.html [accessed 18 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. |
March 14, 2014
Ukrainian oligarch Dmytro Firtash (file photo)
The U.S. government will request Austria to extradite a Ukrainian industrialist with ties to deposed Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych.
Dmytro Firtash is wanted by the United States for bribery and criminal conspiracy.
Earlier, Austrian authorities said the 48-year-old oligarch had been placed in "extradition custody," the first step toward a possible extradition to the United States.
Vienna district court said on March 14 that Dmytro Firtash "filed an appeal against the decision."
The court added that it had set bail for Firtash at $174 million on the understanding that if he pays this and is released, he will not leave Austria.
Firtash was arrested in Vienna on March 12 on the basis of a U.S. arrest warrant.
Firtash is one of Ukraine's richest men and has close links to Russia.
He made his money in the gas, chemicals, media, and banking sectors and was a key backer of the recently ousted Yanukovych.
Ukrainian media say Firtash is allegedly linked to the Ukrainian-born Russian mafia leader Semion Mogilevich.
Based on reporting by Reuters and AFP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
