GENEVA, November 1 (RIA Novosti) - The defense team representing Yevgeny Adamov, an ex-nuclear power minister of Russia, has filed an appeal against his extradition to the United States, where he is wanted on embezzlement charges, attorney Stefan Wehrenberg said Tuesday.
The appeal has been lodged with the Federal Court in Lausanne, Switzerland's highest court whose rulings are final.
"Adamov's premise is that the decision by Swiss authorities to extradite him to the U.S. rather than to his home country, Russia, contravenes Swiss and international law," Wehrenberg said in a statement.
He said the decision failed to take into account Adamov's legal immunity as a former minister, as well as the political significance of the case for all three countries involved.
"As before, Adamov maintains his innocence and is determined to clear himself of the charges brought against him by both Russian and American authorities," the lawyer said.
Until the Lausanne court hands down a decision on the appeal, Adamov will remain in custody in Bern. The court is not bound by a deadline.
On October 3, the Swiss Federal Justice Department announced its decision to extradite the former Russian minister to the U.S. rather than his home country.
Adamov, who served as Russia's nuclear power minister in 1998-2001, was arrested in Bern May 2 at the request of the U.S. Justice Department. U.S. authorities accuse the ex-minister of diverting $9 million granted to Russia for improving the safety of its nuclear facilities.
If convicted by an American court, Adamov may face a prison sentence of up to 60 years and a $1.75 million fine.
The Russian Prosecutor General's Office also launched proceedings against Adamov, charging him with embezzlement and abuse of office.
Both countries petitioned the Swiss judiciary for Adamov's extradition. The official extradition request from the U.S. was received June 24 and the request from Russia, May 17.
