Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, June 7: Rajesh and Atul Gupta, brothers accused of political corruption under former South African President Jacob Zuma, were arrested in the United Arab Emirates on Monday, according to South Africa.
Although the two nations signed an extradition deal in April 2021, it was unclear whether the brothers’ detention would result in their return to South Africa.
“Discussions between various law enforcement agencies in the UAE and South Africa on the way forward are ongoing,” South Africa’s Ministry of Justice and Correctional Services said in a brief statement.
The brothers are accused of gaining contracts, misappropriating state assets, influencing cabinet nominations, and syphoning off state funds by utilising their connections with Zuma, who reigned from 2009 to 2018. Zuma and the Guptas maintain that they are innocent of any wrongdoing.
After Zuma’s ouster in 2018, the Indian-born brothers left South Africa. In 2018, a commission was appointed to look into claims of graft during Zuma’s time in power.
In April 2021, the UAE ratified an extradition pact with South Africa, which South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s government anticipated would result in the Guptas being extradited to face charges.
The arrests were praised by South Africa’s major opposition party.
