FUGITIVE German billionaire Jurgen Harksen has finally won a legal battle to avoid being extradited to his home country to face more than 300 charges of fraud and tax evasion. The Cape High Court ruled that there was insufficient evidence to extradite him to Germany, Harksen’s lawyer Paul Katzeff said. “In seven years I have forgotten what it means to be free,” said Harksen, who has appeared in court more than 30 times. During this period Harksen spent R20m on legal fees and seen his R8m Cape mansion fall under an auctioneer’s hammer. Harksen said he had no plans to visit Germany, either now nor in the future. Harksen, a permanent resident of South Africa, was the subject of an extradition request by Germany in 1994. On May 24, 1995, then President Nelson Mandela consented to the request, rendering Harksen liable for extradition. German businessmen claim to have invested millions in Harksen’s investments and seen no returns.