Ukrainian billionaire Dmitry Firtash from Vienna told Bloomberg in an interview that there is nothing prosecutors could offer regarding his US bribery charges that would convince him to divulge how Russia moves its gas revenue around. Firtash became rich by becoming the middleman for Russia's state-backed gas-export business OAO Gazprom and owner of television stations and fertilizer plants in Ukraine. He is currently charged with wrongdoing in relation to a $500 million titanium project in India. The former ally of Viktor Yanukovych insisted on fighting off the charges, and also said that US is trying to nullify his political influence in Ukraine ahead of the country's May 25 presidential elections.
The 49 year-old said, "Having a house in Florida is not my concept of life. I'll defend myself to the bitter end."
Firtash' indictment was reportedly sealed for around a year, and was announced by the Chicago office of US Attorney Zachary Fardon in April. The announcement was done weeks after Russian President Vladimir Putin responded to what he dubbed as a coup against the ousted Ukraine leader by annexing Crimea. The annexation of Crimea had sparked the biggest standoff with the US since the Cold War, Bloomberg said. Firtash claimed the charges lodged against him was an effort on the US' part to get rid of a powerful player in the political struggle in Ukraine.
Public relations adviser to Firtash Tim Bell said over the phone from London, "He knows all the parties involved and that's why you have to think there's some extra motivation for the Americans to try to eliminate him from the process. And the reason for that is they think he's one of Putin's gang."
President Barack Obama has already imposed sanctions on 45 individuals and 19 entities to pressure Russia to back off from Ukraine. Firtash told Bloomberg that because of his connection to Russia's Gazprom and its affiliate would make him a likely candidate to broker a resolution to the conflict in Ukraine, hence the possibility of the US enticing him with a favorable resolution on his bribery case.
Since out on a bail after posting an Austrian record of 125 million euros or $172 million, Bloomberg said Firtash has assembled a team of 20 attorneys for the extradition hearing and a potential trial in the US.
