South Africa, UAE In Talks On Extraditing Gupta Brothers

High-level talks have begun between the governments of South Africa and the United Arab Emirates to bring two brothers from the wealthy Gupta family to justice.

Atul and Rajesh Gupta were recently arrested in the Gulf state.

They are accused in South Africa of profiting from their close links with former President Jacob Zuma and exerting unfair influence.

All three deny any wrongdoing.

The wealthy Indian-born brothers, who are accused of fraud and money laundering, are expected to apply for bail in the next few days.

Rajesh and Atul, along with their brother Ajay Gupta who has not been arrested fled South Africa in 2018, around the same time former President Jacob Zuma was forced to resign following a string of corruption allegations against him.

The Guptas have been accused of using their association with Mr. Zuma to cash in on huge government contracts by paying bribes.

The United States placed the Guptas on a sanctions list in 2019, after they were accused of being members of a significant corruption network.

South Africa successfully negotiated an extradition treaty with the United Arab Emirates last year, but it could take years before the accused are successfully extradited to face justice in South Africa.

BBC/Christopher Ojilere