Belarus attempts to shield Firtash from extradition to US, report says
The Belarusian government has granted
fugitive Ukrainian billionaire Dmytro
Firtash a diplomatic role in Vienna, allowing him to remain in Austria and
evade extradition to the United States where he faces corruption charges, German
broadcaster DW reported on June 27.
Firtash's position as an advisor for Belarus's permanent representation to international organizations in Vienna has been confirmed by the Higher Regional Court of Vienna.
He is invoking his diplomatic immunity to demand the cessation of the extradition proceedings. His legal team argues that Firtash, in his capacity as an advisor for the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), holds diplomatic status and immunity. Minsk granted Firtash this role on June 29, 2021.
However, the Austrian Justice Ministry advised the court that Firtash had not been correctly accredited and does not possess a valid accreditation card from the Austrian Foreign Ministry. The lower courts, taking into consideration the statement from the Ministry of Justice, did not recognize Firtash's claimed diplomatic immunity. Nevertheless, on June 14, the Higher Regional Court of Vienna returned the case to the lower court, ordering them to independently assess the legal standing of Firtash's claimed immunity.
If the lower court acknowledges Firtash's diplomatic status, the case concerning his extradition to the United States will be put on hold for the duration of his diplomatic mandate.
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