UAE confirms it has ratified extradition agreement with SA
The United Arab Emirates has confirmed that has ratified its extradition treaty with South Africa.
This comes after the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) approached Interpol to assist in the execution of warrants of arrests for Atul Gupta, his wife Chetali, Rajesh Gupta, his wife Artie, and four others.
The NPA wants the Gupta brothers to be arrested and charged with fraud related to the Free State Department of Agriculture of R24 million.
Their alleged associate, Iqbal Sharma was denied bail on Tuesday in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court.
The Guptas fled South Africa in 2018 and are reportedly in the UAE.
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"These agreements have been and remain key to the UAE in promoting judicial and legal cooperation with South Africa and strengthening bilateral relations between law enforcement institutions and partners on both sides,” said Mahash Alhameli the UAE's ambassador to South Africa in a statement.
The extradition agreement, he said, was aimed at preventing crime on the basis of mutual respect for the sovereignty of both countries, strengthening cooperation in combating serious crimes, including organised crime, and ensuring that criminals were not denied justice.
The statement further states that the agreements are aimed at preventing crime on the basis of mutual respect for the sovereignty of both South Africa and the UAE.
The Department of Justice in South African was not willing to comment.
