MOSCOW, August 27 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's general prosecutor said Monday that fugitive tycoon Boris Berezovsky, wanted in Russia, could be extradited from the U.K. to Brazil, where he also faces a criminal probe.
"We hope to persuade Britain to extradite Berezovsky. Brazil has launched a criminal probe against him, and the United Kingdom could consider his extradition to Brazil in the near future," Yury Chaika said.
In July a Brazilian court issued an order for the arrest of Berezovsky, charged in the country with money laundering through an investment group he helped establish, London-based Media Sports Investment, accused of involvement in illegal financial transactions. The Corinthians soccer club in Sao Paolo broke off its partnership with the investment group after the charges were announced.
Berezovsky, who lives as a political exile in Britain, is wanted on embezzlement and sedition charges in Russia. However, British authorities have repeatedly rejected Russian requests for his extradition.
Brazilian Authorities began investigating the financing of Corinthians soccer club shortly after it concluded a partnership agreement with Media Sports Investment and bought several prominent players in 2005. That year, the club won Brazil's national soccer championship.
Brazilian investigators also said Berezovsky could have been involved in the controversial transfer of Carlos Tevez from Corinthians to England's West Ham United last year.
Commenting on accusations, the tycoon said earlier they were part of the Kremlin's politicized campaign against him, and he denied any involvement in the Tevez transfer.
"I am not involved in money laundering and had no part whatsoever in the Carlos Tevez deal," Berezovsky said. "After all, I am an Arsenal fan."
