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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