Former Mozambican finance minister Manuel Chang was handed over to US police officers in Johannesburg on Wednesday morning and extradited to the United States of America (US) by private jet, a South African government source told Lusa.
“The Department of Justice can confirm that Mr. Manuel Chang has been transferred to the law enforcement agencies of the United States of America, where he is expected to face charges including fraud.” said Lusa Chrispin Phiri, spokesperson for South Africa’s justice minister.
“Mr. Chang left the country this morning,” he said.
Chang was imprisoned in South Africa for four and a half years for his involvement in the Mozambican state’s hidden debt scandal, estimated at $2.7 billion (€2.5 billion).
Manuel Chang, age 63, was arrested on December 29, 2018 at OR Tambo International Airport, in Johannesburg, on his way to Dubai, based on an international arrest warrant issued by the United States on December 27, for his alleged involvement in the trial of so-called hidden debts.
In the past four years, the former Mozambican ruler, seen as the “key” in the hidden debt scandal, has faced two competing requests from the United States and Mozambique for his extradition from South Africa without trial.
Source: DN
