Ukrainian Oligarch Firtash Could Face Over 80 Years' Imprisonment in US - Lawyer

26 June 2019 13:49

Ukrainian oligarch Dmytro Firtash could soon lose the battle he has been fighting in Austria to evade extradition to the U.S.Courtesy

Dmytro Firtash, a Ukrainian oligarch in Austrian exile, could face 80 years in an American prison if he is extradited to the United States. This was stated by Gene Burd, a lawyer at the Arnall Golden Gregory firm based in the U.S. where Firtash is accused of money laundering and corruption.

Dmytro Firtash, a Ukrainian oligarch in Austrian exile, could face more than 80 years in an American prison if he is extradited to the United States. This was stated to the Voice of America news site by Gene Burd, a lawyer at the Arnall Golden Gregory firm based in the U.S. where Firtash is accused of money laundering and corruption.

However, Burd added that Firtash – who earned his fortune through close business ties with Russia's Gazprom and was once a major donor to ousted Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych – could evade this prison term if he agrees to cooperate with the U.S.

"Firtash is well-acquainted with various financial agreements, which involve top politicians from different countries – including Ukraine and Russia. Therefore he could possibly know information that would interest the States," Burd is quoted as saying by Voice of America. "So he always has the opportunity to cooperate and sign an agreement on pleading guilty."

Firtash is accused of a conspiracy with the aim of bribing officials in India in order to mine titanium that would then be used in jet engine manufacturing. The oligarch denies these charges.

On June 25, the Supreme Court of Austria, ruled to allow to extradite Firtash to the U.S. However, the final decision would be up to Austria's Minister of Justice.