Lawyers of Kazakh tycoon Mukhtar Ablyazov have filed a number of complaints against Aix-en-Provence judges who ruled in favor of Ablyazov’s extradition, Tengrinews reports citing RIA Novosti.
The complaints have been sent to higher courts. In particular, Ablyazov’s lawyers said that the judges "violated professional secrecy and influenced officials."
Ablyazov was arrested in France in 2013, July 31. Extradition of the former head of Kazakhstani BTA Bank is though by Russia and Ukraine. Kazakhstan also requested France to extradite Ablyazov, but since the two lack an extradition agreement, it is out of question for now.
Lawyers of Kazakh tycoon Mukhtar Ablyazov have filed a number of complaints against Aix-en-Provence judges who ruled in favor of Ablyazov’s extradition, Tengrinews reports citing RIA Novosti.
The complaints have been sent to higher courts. In particular, Ablyazov’s lawyers said that the judges "violated professional secrecy and influenced officials."
Ablyazov was arrested in France in 2013, July 31. Extradition of the former head of Kazakhstani BTA Bank is though by Russia and Ukraine. Kazakhstan also requested France to extradite Ablyazov, but since the two lack an extradition agreement, it is out of question for now.
The Kazakh multibillionaire is accused of embezzling $6 billion from Kazakhstan, $5 billion from Russia and $400 million from Ukraine.
In early January, a French court decided to extradite the fugitive tycoon to Russia or Ukraine. However, in April the decision to extradite the former head of BTA was canceled due to a technical error: the official court records were missing the signature of the former banker. The case was sent for a new trial.
Ablyazov is now in prison in France in the midst of a legal battle against extradition in Lyon court after his successful appeal earlier.
Ablyazov is accused on his native soil in Kazakhstan of embezzlement, money laundering and fraud when he was in the position of BTA bank head. He faces 13-year of prison and property confiscation in Kazakhstan.
By Dinara Urazova