Majority of arrested individuals contesting extradition to the USA

Berne. The seven soccer officials arrested today, Wednesday, in Zurich on the orders of the Federal Office of Justice (FOJ) have already been granted Zurich Cantonal Police hearings on the US arrest request. The majority are contesting their extradition to the USA.

For those individuals who are contesting extradition, the FOJ will now ask the USA to submit formal extradition requests within the 40-day period provided for in the bilateral extradition treaty. Extradition proceedings will be resumed as soon as these requests have been received. These six individuals still have time, up to the ruling (of first instance) of the FOJ, to agree to simplified extradition proceedings.

At the initial hearing, one person indicated that they were willing to pursue simplified extradition. If such simplified extradition can be approved, the person concerned may be handed over to the US authorities immediately.