Austria approves US extradition for Ukrainian oligarch

Arrested a year later in Vienna, he posted bail of 125 million euros (more than $130 million) shortly afterward, leaving him free but unable to leave Austria.

Shortly after Tuesday’s court ruling however, he was taken into custody on what prosecution spokeswoman Nina Bussek said was a warrant from Spanish law enforcement officials.

She gave no details but told the Austria Press Agency that the timing had nothing to do with the Austrian court decision. Instead, she said, it was triggered by the receipt of “supplementary information from Spanish authorities.”

One of Ukraine’s most influential businessmen, Firtash, 51, is well connected both in Moscow and with Ukrainian politicians opposed to the Kremlin. He earned millions of dollars in the natural gas trading sector under deposed pro-Russian Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych.

News reports tie him to business dealings with lobbyist Paul Manafort, an adviser to Donald Trump during his U.S. presidential election campaign. Manafort also advised Yanukovych during a re-election bid.

Austrian Judge Christoph Bauer suggested in 2015 that the extradition request for Firtash was linked to attempts to weaken Yanukovych by stripping him of a key ally.

A court statement summarizing Tuesday’s ruling focused on the U.S. accusations in overturning Bauer’s decision, saying “the crimes Firtash is accused of have no political character.”

George Jahn, The Associated Press

by Canadian Press

Austria approves US extradition for Ukrainian oligarch

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