Switzerland has expelled a Russian businessman with ties to the Kremlin to the United States. The Russian, Vladislav Klyushin, was arrested in March of this year at the request of the Americans. He is accused of hacking with others the data of American companies. He would have made tens of millions of dollars from the trade.
Clyushin tried to challenge his extradition. According to him, the charges are fabricated and he will not have a fair trial in the United States. A Swiss court ruled last week that there was no reason to doubt the independence of justice in the United States and gave the final green light for extradition.
The businessman was escorted by US police officers to Zurich airport last night, where his plane left for the United States.
“Washington Hunt”
Klyushin is the owner of M31 Corporation, which invests in media monitoring and digital security services. The M31 website states that the company operates in the office of the Russian president and the Russian government.
Russia responded angrily, speaking of a “hasty extradition.” A Kremlin spokesman said there was “another episode in Washington’s pursuit of Russian citizens in third countries”. Tensions between Russia and the United States have been rising recently, mainly due to the situation in Ukraine.