United Arab Emirates court rejects South Africa’s request to extradite Gupta brothers

United Arab Emirates UAE court has dismissed South Africa’s request to extradite Atul and Rajesh Gupta, brothers who face charges of political corruption, Justice Minister Ronald Lamola has said.

The Indian brothers, arrested in UAE in June 2022, are accused of using their connections with Jacob Zuma, president of South Africa from 2009 to 2018, to win contracts, influence cabinet appointments and siphon off state funds.

Zuma and the Guptas have denied all wrongdoing.

South Africa received diplomatic communication from UAE on April 6 that a court there had made the decision on February 13.

The court had ruled that UAE had jurisdiction to prosecute the Guptas for money laundering offences allegedly committed in UAE and South Africa.

He added that South Africa would “promptly appeal” the decision.