18:08 26.10.2016

Kaskiv extradition to Ukraine could take up to 9 months – PGO

3 min read
Kaskiv extradition to Ukraine could take up to 9 months – PGO

The General Prosecutor’s Office (PGO) of Ukraine has commented about the suspension of the extradition check by the Panamanian authorities on the former head of Ukraine's State Agency for Investment and National Projects Management Vladyslav Kaskiv.

"At this stage the extradition check on Kaskiv has been suspended until the completion of the examination of his application for political asylum," PGO deputy head Yevhen Yenin told journalists in Kyiv on Tuesday, answering the question of the Interfax-Ukraine agency about extradition procedures involving Kaskiv.

He explained that according to the formal procedure it lasts for a month and a half, if Kaskiv doesn’t challenge the decision of the competent authorities of Panama (with respect to asylum).

"We expect that the process will last for six months (with respect to the granting of asylum), followed by the three-month procedure of extradition check," Yenin said.

In turn, Prosecutor General of Ukraine Yuriy Lutsenko said that all documents for the extradition of Kaskiv were very quickly given to the Panamanian side.

"But, as in every similar case, the person that we demand to extradite, has the right to judicial protection, judicial review in the territory where he was detained," he said at a briefing in Kyiv on Tuesday.

Currently, according to the prosecutor general, there are ongoing judicial procedures, in which Kaskiv and his lawyers are appealing the possibility of extradition, where even the possibility of granting political asylum is considered.

"These court proceedings are ongoing. We keep track of them," Lutsenko said, adding that he can not predict any terms in this respect.

As reported, on September 8, The Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine (PGO) received confirmation from INTERPOL on the arrest of former head of the State Agency for Investment and National Projects Management Vladyslav Kaskiv in Panama. Yenin then told that within 48 hours after the detention hearing is held, it will be known of the procedure of his extradition to Ukraine. In case of consent on the part of Kaskiv, this procedure could take 30 days.

On September 12, Panama court ordered a $600,000 bail for ex-head of the State Agency for Investment and National Projects Management Vladyslav Kaskiv and he filed a political asylum petition.

Kaskiv was put on the international wanted list pursuant to Part 5 of Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (embezzlement of property in excessive amounts by means of official status in a premeditated act involving a group of people and Part 2 of Article 366 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (forgery of official documents).

It became known in early October that Kaskiv managed to make bail and leave the Panamian jail.

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