The Swiss voice in the world since 1935

Switzerland refuses to extradite businessman to Russia

Prison guard locks cell door
Klyushin has complained of his treatement in the maximum security prison in Switzerland. Keystone / Laurent Gillieron

The Swiss authorities have rejected an attempt by Moscow to extradite a Russian businessman caught in an extradition tussle between Russia and the United States.

Vladislav Klyushin has been held in Switzerland since March on a US arrest warrant that accuses him of industrial espionage – namely of hacking into US companies to steal data.

Klyushin owns M13, a Russian company that offers media monitoring as well as cyber-security services. Its website says its clients include the Russian presidential administration and government.

His detention in Switzerland was first reported by investigative news outlet Gotham City in June, days before US President Joe Biden met with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, in Geneva for high level talks.

Klyushin is currently fighting a decision to extradite him to the US. But on Monday, the Tages-Anzeiger newspaper reported that the Swiss justice ministry turned down a rival extradition attempt by Russia on August 12.

The Swiss news agency Keystone-SDA reports that the Russian extradition request was lodged on April 7, some days before the US request on April 19.

The justice ministry said it turned down Russia’s request because the offences Klyushin is charged with by Moscow are incompatible with the Swiss criminal code. 

Klyushin is being held in a maximum-security facility in southwestern Switzerland, having been arrested shortly after touching down in his private jet with his family for a holiday in Switzerland.

His lawyer told the Tages AnzeigerExternal link that Klyushin is unhappy at being surrounded by heavily armed guards at the prison and that he believes the US extradition attempt is politically motivated.

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

News

Lakes in Central Switzerland have the best bathing water quality

More

Lakes in Central Switzerland have best water quality for bathing

This content was published on Anyone who swims in a lake in Central Switzerland need have no fear of infection from intestinal bacteria. The water samples taken at 65 bathing sites in 13 lakes all have good to excellent bathing water quality.

Read more: Lakes in Central Switzerland have best water quality for bathing
Historic ring stolen from Basel museum

More

Historic Russian ring stolen from Basel museum

This content was published on Unknown assailants have stolen a historic ring from a Basel museum. The stolen item was a gift from Russian Tsar Alexander I to his host in Basel in 1814.

Read more: Historic Russian ring stolen from Basel museum
Ceasefire drives stock markets higher

More

Ceasefire drives stock markets higher

This content was published on The ceasefire in the Iran-Israel war has visibly eased tensions on the financial markets. The SMI, Switzerland's leading stock market index, has risen above the 12,000 point mark again.

Read more: Ceasefire drives stock markets higher
Swiss stick to tipping in cash

More

Swiss stick to tipping in cash

This content was published on The vast majority of Swiss people tip in restaurants – and preferably in cash. However, there are regional differences.

Read more: Swiss stick to tipping in cash

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative

You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!

If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR