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Austrian Court Backs Ukrainian Gas Mogul’s Extradition to U.S. Austrian Court Backs Ukrainian Gas Mogul’s Extradition to U.S.
(about 11 hours later)
MOSCOW — An Austrian court on Tuesday approved an American extradition request for Dmytro V. Firtash, a Ukrainian gas mogul and one of the strongest backers of the ousted Ukrainian president, Viktor F. Yanukovych.MOSCOW — An Austrian court on Tuesday approved an American extradition request for Dmytro V. Firtash, a Ukrainian gas mogul and one of the strongest backers of the ousted Ukrainian president, Viktor F. Yanukovych.
Mr. Firtash, who made a fortune acting as an intermediary in natural gas sales in the former Soviet Union, was indicted in Chicago in 2012 on charges of bribing officials in India through American banks to secure a titanium mining deal that never materialized.Mr. Firtash, who made a fortune acting as an intermediary in natural gas sales in the former Soviet Union, was indicted in Chicago in 2012 on charges of bribing officials in India through American banks to secure a titanium mining deal that never materialized.
The oligarch has said the charges against him were orchestrated by the United States government to remove him from the Ukrainian political field at a time when the country’s future was in flux.The oligarch has said the charges against him were orchestrated by the United States government to remove him from the Ukrainian political field at a time when the country’s future was in flux.
In 2014, shortly after street protests in Kiev, the Ukrainian capital, forced the pro-Kremlin president, Mr. Yanukovych, to flee and a new pro-Western government was installed, Mr. Firtash was arrested on an F.B.I. warrant in Vienna and then released after paying $174 million in bail.In 2014, shortly after street protests in Kiev, the Ukrainian capital, forced the pro-Kremlin president, Mr. Yanukovych, to flee and a new pro-Western government was installed, Mr. Firtash was arrested on an F.B.I. warrant in Vienna and then released after paying $174 million in bail.
Nearly two years ago, a lower court in Austria ruled against Mr. Firtash’s extradition, saying that the United States had not provided enough evidence that there was no political motive behind the charges. The court in Vienna on Tuesday overturned that decision.Nearly two years ago, a lower court in Austria ruled against Mr. Firtash’s extradition, saying that the United States had not provided enough evidence that there was no political motive behind the charges. The court in Vienna on Tuesday overturned that decision.
Despite the ruling, the final decision on Mr. Firtash’s extradition is to be made by Austria’s justice minister, Wolfgang Brandstetter.Despite the ruling, the final decision on Mr. Firtash’s extradition is to be made by Austria’s justice minister, Wolfgang Brandstetter.
Mr. Firtash’s American legal team said in an emailed statement that he was “charged concerning a project in India that was never completed — a project entirely outside the U.S. that had no effect on the U.S. and in which the U.S. has no legitimate interest.”Mr. Firtash’s American legal team said in an emailed statement that he was “charged concerning a project in India that was never completed — a project entirely outside the U.S. that had no effect on the U.S. and in which the U.S. has no legitimate interest.”
“If and when Mr. Firtash is required to come to the United States, the team will fight to obtain dismissal of this unjust case by the Department of Justice or, if necessary, in U.S. courts, to clear Mr. Firtash’s name,” said the legal team, Daniel Webb, a former United States attorney in Chicago; Michael Chertoff, a former secretary of homeland security; and the lawyer Lanny J. Davis. “If and when Mr. Firtash is required to come to the United States, the team will fight to obtain dismissal of this unjust case by the Department of Justice or, if necessary, in U.S. courts, to clear Mr. Firtash’s name,” said the legal team, Daniel Webb, a former United States attorney in Chicago; Michael Chertoff, a former secretary of Homeland Security; and the lawyer Lanny J. Davis.
Shortly after the ruling was announced, Mr. Firtash was detained on a separate European arrest warrant, issued by Spain, Reuters reported.Shortly after the ruling was announced, Mr. Firtash was detained on a separate European arrest warrant, issued by Spain, Reuters reported.
Mr. Firtash also has business ties to Paul Manafort, who managed President Trump’s campaign last year and worked extensively in Ukraine. In 2008, Mr. Firtash, Mr. Manafort and a developer, Arthur G. Cohen, negotiated a deal to buy the site of the Drake Hotel on Park Avenue in Manhattan. The project fell through.Mr. Firtash also has business ties to Paul Manafort, who managed President Trump’s campaign last year and worked extensively in Ukraine. In 2008, Mr. Firtash, Mr. Manafort and a developer, Arthur G. Cohen, negotiated a deal to buy the site of the Drake Hotel on Park Avenue in Manhattan. The project fell through.