/ 9 February 1999

COURT RULES TO EXTRADITE BILLIONAIRE

GERMAN billionaire Jurgen Harksen, who has fought a running battle to avoid extradition to in Germany, lost his bid to remain in South Africa on Monday and was taken into custody. Harksen faces criminal tax evasion charges in Germany. Cape Town Magistrate Michael Wagner ordered that Harksen be committed to prison pending his extradition. Harksen immediately lodged an appeal against the extradition ruling and simultaneously launched an application for bail pending this appeal. Harksen spent the night at his Hout Bay home under police guard.