Ukrainian businessman Dmytro Firtash intends to return to Ukraine if an American request for his extradition from Austria is denied.
In an interview with Euronews, Firtash said he had no political ambitions.
“I was never involved in politics. I have never had a desire to become a politician, I’ve never wanted to become an official… I like business and this is the reason I’m doing it” Firtash said.
However, the businessman said that he considered the allegations against him as politically motivated and that he had no faith in Austrian justice system.
“Somebody benefited a lot from my not participating in Ukrainian politics, not being home, as they knew my views and understood that I would act accordingly” he said.
Firtash said that he was against the ongoing conflict but supported constitutional reform and a solution to economic and gas issues involving Ukraine, Russia and Europe.
“Let’s sit down and understand where our problems are, what Russia wants, what Ukraine wants, what Europe wants and let’s discuss this situation openly” the businessman said.
As reported, Firtash was arrested in Austria at the request of the FBI on March 12. A Vienna court detained him but agreed to release him on a EUR 125-million bail. He also signed a written promise not to leave Austria.
The U.S. government has accused six individuals, including Firtash, of bribing Indian officials to receive a permit for mining operations. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the accused attempted to pay a bribe worth $18.5 million in the hope of receiving $500 million from selling titanium mined in the Indian state Andhra Pradesh.
At the time, Firtash said that the accusations against him were absurd and of a political nature.
