Russia requests Ablyazov's extradition from France

Mukhtar Ablyazov. Tengrinews.kz file photo

Russian Prosecutor’s Office has filed an extradition request with the French authorities asking for extradition of the former head of Kazakhstan's BTA Bank Mukhtar Ablyazov, RIA Novosti writes citing deputy General Prosecutor of Russia Aleksander Zvyagintsev. “Russia is investigating a criminal case over embezzlement of over $5 billion from BTA Bank by its former chairman Mukhtar Ablyazov who was recently arrested in France. We have sent to the French Ministry of Justice a request asking for extradition of this so-called 'businessman' to Russia were he will face criminal charges over fraud, money laundering and a range of other crimes,” Zvyagintsev said. Mukhtar Ablyazov was arrested on July 31 not far from Cannes in the French Riviera at the extradition request of Ukraine. After the arrest the Aix-en-Provence court decided to leave Mukhtar Ablyazov in custody until the decision on his extradition is made. Yesterday the court denied him release on bail as it was not sure he would not flee from France if released. His extradition is sought by Kazakhstan, Russia and Ukraine as Ablyazov is wanted in all of these countries for major fraud. According to Solange Legras, Attorney General of Aix-en-Provence Court, French court is not planning to decide on the possible extradition of Mukhtar Ablyazov any earlier than in spring 2014.

Russian Prosecutor’s Office has filed an extradition request with the French authorities asking for extradition of the former head of Kazakhstan's BTA Bank Mukhtar Ablyazov, RIA Novosti writes citing deputy General Prosecutor of Russia Aleksander Zvyagintsev. “Russia is investigating a criminal case over embezzlement of over $5 billion from BTA Bank by its former chairman Mukhtar Ablyazov who was recently arrested in France. We have sent to the French Ministry of Justice a request asking for extradition of this so-called 'businessman' to Russia were he will face criminal charges over fraud, money laundering and a range of other crimes,” Zvyagintsev said. Mukhtar Ablyazov was arrested on July 31 not far from Cannes in the French Riviera at the extradition request of Ukraine. After the arrest the Aix-en-Provence court decided to leave Mukhtar Ablyazov in custody until the decision on his extradition is made. Yesterday the court denied him release on bail as it was not sure he would not flee from France if released. His extradition is sought by Kazakhstan, Russia and Ukraine as Ablyazov is wanted in all of these countries for major fraud. According to Solange Legras, Attorney General of Aix-en-Provence Court, French court is not planning to decide on the possible extradition of Mukhtar Ablyazov any earlier than in spring 2014.

Russia CIS crime Europe extradition France Kazakh Kazakhstan Mukhtar Ablyazov news BTA Bank