By Charlie Cabot
CAIRO: The attempt to extradite Hussein Salem from Spain still faces several legal hurdles, Egypt’s ambassador to Spain told Daily News Egypt in an email Tuesday.
Salem, a billionaire with close ties to ousted president Hosni Mubarak, was arrested in Madrid in June on charges of corruption.
The extradition process began earlier this month with the Spanish Cabinet’s approval of the request, which Ambassador Ayman Zaineldine called “a technical decision.” The case now enters the Spanish National Court.
“[Salem] is a Spanish citizen, and thus cannot be extradited,” Zaineldine explained. “He is also accused of crimes in Spain, which, from the point of view of Spanish law, takes precedence over the crimes committed in Egypt.”
Spanish authorities are investigating how Salem obtained his Spanish citizenship, following evidence that he possessed an Egyptian citizenship at the same time. Dual citizenship in the two countries is prohibited by Spanish law.
If investigators prove that Salem obtained his citizenship illegally, the extradition process can proceed.
“So extradition is not imminent, and the case will take some more time,” Zaineldine wrote. “The outcome is not at all certain.”
The Spanish authorities have been helpful, he added, and the process is going as fast as can be expected.
“It is generally normal for such complicated cases, with international dimensions, to take time, including in corresponding and exchanging and translating sizeable legal documents,” Zaineldine said.
Spain recently arrested both of Salem’s children on Egypt’s request as well. Khaled and Magda, both in their late forties, are under investigation for money laundering.
“The Spanish government has been very cooperative from the very beginning, first by arresting Salem and his two children, and then by communicating expeditiously, and being totally responsive to our demarches,” the ambassador said.
“Egypt strongly believes that Mr. Salem should be tried in Egypt, as an Egyptian citizen, who committed crimes in Egypt, and whose testimony could be instrumental in the processing of other cases under consideration in Egyptian courts,” he added.
Prominent among the charges Salem faces is selling gas to Israel far below the market price, which took millions away from the Egyptian economy. Salem possessed a monopoly on gas sales to Israel, a fact that many have attributed to his close friendship with ousted president Hosni Mubarak.
