Thursday, July 2, 2015

US Formally Asks Switzerland to Extradite FIFA Officials

 
By Alasdair Sandford

The United States has formally asked Switzerland to extradite seven FIFA officials arrested at the end of May in a corruption inquiry.

It is the first stage in what looks set to be a long procedure – up to six months according to Swiss authorities – as those being held had previously indicated that they would oppose extradition.

The Swiss Federal Office of Justice (FOJ) said in a news release that the US embassy in Bern submitted the formal requests on Wednesday, in line with a bilateral extradition treaty.

The demand was expected: US authorities had until July 3 to submit a formal request or ask for an extension.
The officials have 14 days to respond. The FOJ says it will rule on extradition within a few weeks after the detainees have been interviewed by the Zurich Cantonal Police – a decision which may then be subject to appeal.

The seven are among 14 people – senior FIFA officials plus figures from other governing bodies connected to the organisation – who were charged by New York judicial authorities with offences including racketeering and bribery following an investigation by the FBI.

Full article available here: FIFA Officials

Source: Euronews

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