A court in the United Arab Emirates denied South Africa’s plea to extradite Atul and Rajesh Gupta wanted in the African nation on charges of money laundering and fraud.
(Bloomberg) — A court in the United Arab Emirates denied South Africa’s plea to extradite Atul and Rajesh Gupta wanted in the African nation on charges of money laundering and fraud.
The arrest warrant against the two brothers has also been canceled, Ronald Lamola, South Africa’s Minister for Justice and Correctional Services said in a briefing on Friday. The court noted that the India-born brothers were citizens of the island nation of Vanuatu, Lamola said.
The Guptas were arrested in the UAE in June 2022. They were detained after Interpol placed them on its most-wanted list. A South African judicial inquiry into state corruption detailed close links between the Guptas and former President Jacob Zuma, with numerous witnesses alleging they worked hand-in-hand to siphon money out of state transport, power and arms companies and jointly decided who was appointed to the cabinet. The Gupta brothers and Zuma deny the allegations.
“The reasons provided for denying our request are inexplicable,” the ministry said in a statement. “This level of non-cooperation is highly unprecedented in the arena of extradition requests. “
The brothers were seen in Switzerland in late March, Africa Intelligence reported on Thursday, without citing anyone.
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