Ukrainian businessman Dmitry Firtash won a trial in Vienna for extradition to the United States. This means that the case will have to be considered again, which will take years.
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The Associated Press reported on June 16 that the United States suspects Firtash of providing $18.5 million. bribes to Indian officials for obtaining permission to develop titanium deposits in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Firtash planned to sell finished products to the American company Boeing, and the annual profit from this could amount to about $500 million. Firtash denies all allegations.
If the Ukrainian oligarch is extradited to Chicago (USA), according to American laws, he faces more than 80 years in prison with confiscation of property and seizure of assets. In 2019, Jean Bird, a lawyer at the American firm Arnall Golden Gregory LLP, told Voice of America about this.
In March 2022, the Vienna Court refused to reopen the case. But the highest court ruled in favor of Firtash and overturned the 2017 decision. Now the judges in Vienna will have to reconsider sending Firtash to the United States.
In June 2019, a Chicago federal judge denied a motion to dismiss charges against Firtash, who argued that the United States had no jurisdiction over crimes in India.
Background
Firtash is accused of money laundering and the creation of organizations operating under the influence of racketeering, as well as corruption schemes abroad. However, charges may be changed if Firtash cooperates with the US government.
Firtash is intimately familiar with the various financial agreements involving top politicians from various countries, including Ukraine and Russia. He may have information of interest to the United States. Therefore, there is always an opportunity for him to cooperate and enter into a plea agreement where he will provide this information in exchange for a change of charges, Byrd said.
He noted that the agreement could lead to legal cases against well-known Ukrainian politicians and businessmen.
Byrd added that Firtash’s ability to remain at large is unlikely, but Dan Webb, one of the most influential US lawyers, will defend him. The Wall Street Journal named him one of the highest paid American lawyers. And Business Insider listed him as one of the “11 Lawyers You Don’t Want to Oppose”.
Firtash was detained in Vienna on March 12, 2014 at the request of the US authorities – he was under investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and was put on the international wanted list. He is suspected of giving 18.5 million dollars. bribes to Indian officials for permission to develop titanium deposits in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.
On March 13, the Vienna Regional Court ruled on extradition arrest, and eight days later Firtash was released on bail of 125 million euros. The businessman himself called this persecution politically motivated and filed an appeal. On April 30, 2015, the court in Vienna rejected the extradition request.
The prosecutor’s office appealed this decision, and on February 21, 2017, the Vienna Higher Regional Court allowed Firtash’s extradition to the United States. On the same day, Firtash was detained. This time, at the request of Spain, which put the businessman on the international wanted list at the end of 2016. There, the businessman was suspected of money laundering. But an Austrian court refused to extradite Firtash to Spain.
Source: Racurs
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.