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French court orders Alexey Kuznetsov to be extradited to Russia facing criminal charges French court orders Alexey Kuznetsov to be extradited to Russia facing criminal charges
(about 2 hours later)
The ex-husband and business partner of Janna Bullock, the socialite property developer being sued for millions of dollars over alleged frauds including one involving a luxurious mansion in London’s Belgravia, has been ordered by a French court to be extradited to face criminal charges in Russia.The ex-husband and business partner of Janna Bullock, the socialite property developer being sued for millions of dollars over alleged frauds including one involving a luxurious mansion in London’s Belgravia, has been ordered by a French court to be extradited to face criminal charges in Russia.
Meanwhile, Meanwhile, Russian authorities have issued an international warrant for four-times-married Ms Bullock's arrest.
Russian authorities have issued an international warrant for Alexey Kuznetsov is the second billionaire to have had his extradition to Russia ordered by the court of Aix-en-Provence in as many weeks, following its ruling that Kazakh oligarch Mukhtar Ablyazov should be despatched to Russia to face fraud charges. Mr Ablyazov denies the charges and claims they are politically motivated.
four-times-married Ms Bullock's arrest. Mr Kuznetsov and his glamorous then-wife Janna built up a property empire she once declared was worth $2bn, mainly in a Russian district where he was the local finance minister. He fled Russia after a former business associate was murdered, reappearing in the South of France.
Alexey However, the Russian authorities issued an international arrest warrant for him, claiming he had embezzled billions of dollars of state funds.
Kuznetsov is the second billionaire to have had his extradition to Police arrested him in July near Saint Tropez – a favourite playground of Russian oligarchs - and he has been in jail ever since. It has now emerged that the court of Aix-en-Provence has approved his extradition.
Russia ordered by the court of Aix-en-Provence in as many weeks, following The French decision was welcomed in London by lawyers trying to seize assets from Ms Bullock that they claim were bought with money owed to their client, Gazprombank.
its ruling that Kazakh oligarch Mukhtar Ablyazov should be despatched to Russia One source close to the case said: “We welcome this development. It puts renewed pressure on Janna Bullock to reveal what happened to the missing money.”
to face fraud charges. Mr Ablyazov denies the charges  
and claims they are politically motivated. Mr Kuznetsov’s lawyer, Gregory Rincourt, told AFP: “Basically, this is an issue fabricated against him. Facts are not established . And given the current state of the Russian judicial system, he can not receive a fair trial , not to mention the conditions of his detention.”
Mr Ms Bullock also strenuously denies allegations of fraud, claiming the numerous legal cases against her are attempts by Russian business rivals to steal her assets from her.
Kuznetsov and his glamorous then-wife Janna built up a property empire she once Legal experts said it was unlikely that the US authorities would act on the Russian arrest warrant. Mr Kuznetsov's legal team is expected to file an appeal against the extradition ruling.
declared was worth $2bn, mainly in a Russian district where he was the local The Independent revealed last month that Ms Bullock was being pursued by Gazprombank over millions of pounds it claims was stolen from it when it lent funds to the couple to develop properties in Moscow. 
finance minister. He fled Russia after a former business associate was Gazprombank alleges that Ms Bullock spent its money buying a host of luxury properties around the world. They  included a luxury mansion in Belgravia's exclusive Eaton Square which a company allegedly financed by Ms Bullock bought from the Duke of Grosvenor, the richest British man.
murdered, reappearing in the South of France. Her alleged company later sold the mansion for £20.5 million after it was substantially renovated and extended. The proceeds have subsequently been frozen by a court order, according to the RIA Novosti state sponsored Russian information bureau.
However, The Duke, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, or other representatives of his Grosvenor Estates empire, may be called as a witness in the case.
the Russian authorities issued an international arrest warrant for him,
claiming he had embezzled billions of dollars of state funds.
Police
arrested him in July near Saint Tropez – a favourite playground of Russian
oligarchs - and he has been in jail ever since. It has now emerged that the
court of Aix-en-Provence has approved his extradition.
The
French decision was welcomed in London by lawyers trying to seize assets from
Ms Bullock that they claim were bought with money owed to their client,
Gazprombank.
One source close to the case said: “We welcome this development.
It puts renewed pressure on Janna Bullock to reveal what happened to the
missing money.”
Mr
Kuznetsov’s lawyer, Gregory Rincourt, told AFP: “Basically, this is an
issue fabricated against him. Facts are not established . And given the current
state of the Russian judicial system, he can not receive a fair trial , not to
mention the conditions of his detention.”
Ms
Bullock also strenuously denies allegations of fraud, claiming the
numerous legal cases against her are attempts by Russian business rivals to
steal her assets from her.
Legal
experts said it was unlikely that the US authorities would act on the Russian
arrest warrant. Mr Kuznetsov's legal team is expected to file an appeal
against the extradition ruling.
The
Independent revealed last month that Ms Bullock was being pursued by
Gazprombank over millions of pounds it claims was stolen from it when it lent
funds to the couple to develop properties in Moscow. 
Gazprombank
alleges that Ms Bullock spent its money buying a host of luxury properties
around the world. They  included a luxury mansion in Belgravia's
exclusive Eaton Square which a company allegedly financed by Ms
Bullock bought from the Duke of Grosvenor, the richest British man.
Her alleged
company later sold the mansion for £20.5 million after it was substantially
renovated and extended. The proceeds have subsequently been frozen by a court
order, according to the RIA Novosti state sponsored Russian information bureau.
The
Duke, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, or other representatives of his
Grosvenor Estates empire, may be called as a witness in the case.
READ MORE The latest twist in the case of Mukhtar Ablyazov: French court orders fugitive millionaire tycoon to be extradited to RussiaREAD MORE The latest twist in the case of Mukhtar Ablyazov: French court orders fugitive millionaire tycoon to be extradited to Russia