Ukrainian Extradition Requests Rarely Approved

Since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression, the Ukrainian judiciary has submitted 27 extradition requests to Austria. However, Austria approved only one extradition, as the Ministry of Justice explained in response to an APA inquiry. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had addressed the issue during his visit to Vienna in mid-June. "Former officials, ex-politicians, and oligarchs are hiding in Austria from Ukrainian prosecution," Zelensky complained.

According to the Ö1 "Morgenjournal" on Saturday, citing the "Standard," some oligarchs are said to be on the list of Ukrainian investigative authorities, as well as a former head of the National Bank, a former deputy minister, and a former member of parliament. The "Standard" had written at the end of March that the offenses involved were corruption, embezzlement, or money laundering. The sums involved are in the millions. "Vienna, it is said, is a safe haven to escape the clutches of the Ukrainian judiciary," the newspaper wrote, citing Ukrainian media reports.

Several Extradition Requests to Austria

The Ministry of Justice confirmed in response to an APA inquiry that the Ukrainian judicial authorities have so far submitted a total of 27 extradition requests to Austria since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression in 2022. "One request was declared admissible," a spokeswoman explained, adding that no information could be provided on individual cases. According to the "Standard," it is likely to have been "a voluntary extradition and not a corruption offense."

Since January 2023 at the latest, all extraditions to Ukraine have been rejected by the Vienna Regional Court for Criminal Matters, court spokeswoman Christina Salzborn told the APA. In addition, there was a decision by the Vienna Higher Regional Court (OLG Vienna) in a legal assistance matter in March 2022. Legal assistance to Ukraine was denied on the grounds that if extradition was not possible, legal assistance would not be granted either. Considering the development of the war situation in Ukraine, extradition would pose a real danger.

Ministry Sent Letter Regarding Ukraine

Other countries, such as Germany or Poland, are already extraditing to Ukraine. However, the Austrian authorities' refusal to extradite to Ukraine is not set in stone, reported Ö1. "Information and any changes regarding the detention situation on site are regularly brought to the attention of the responsible public prosecutors and courts," the Ministry of Justice emphasized to ORF Radio. Just the week before last, a related letter regarding Ukraine was sent by the ministry, according to APA information.

(APA/Red)

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