Lawyer points out agreement regarding the extradition of Johann Steynberg to South Africa – regulation

With Johann Steynberg now in custody in Brazil, a lawyer has suggested that South Africa may have to resort to an existing legal assistance agreement with Brazil if it wants the CEO extradited. However, the success of such an extradition will depend on the Brazilian authorities' next steps.

Steynberg delivery options

Following the arrest of Mirror Trading International (MTI) CEO Johann Steynberg by Brazilian law enforcement, lawyer Darren Hanekom has confirmed that South Africa has entered into a mutual legal assistance agreement with Brazil. According to the lawyer, the unsigned agreement could potentially be used to facilitate Steynberg's extradition to South Africa, where many of MTI's investors live.

But in his comments during a interview With Moneyweb, Hanekom also revealed that the United States has a similar agreement with Brazil, allowing the latter to detain Steynberg for up to 90 days. According to the lawyer, two court hearings are scheduled to take place during this period, one on Steynberg's bail application and another on his extradition.

As before reported From Bitcoin.com News, Steynberg was arrested by a Brazilian military police unit after receiving information that the fugitive CEO – who is wanted by the FBI – was using a fake identification document. Immediately after the arrest, Brazilian law enforcement authorities said Steynberg would be charged over his use of the forged document.

Offense for forged documents

Similarly, Hanekom suggested in his remarks during the interview that Brazilian authorities will likely consider prosecuting the CEO for crimes committed in Brazil. He explained:

Media releases indicate that he was arrested for planning and possessing fake travel documents related to passports. I think credit cards are also mentioned. From this we can also deduce that this could very well be a criminal offense in Brazil, which in turn means that the Brazilian authorities could also make a decision not to extradite him and prosecute Mr. Steynberg in Brazil.

After disappear Using the investors' Bitcoins, Steynberg reportedly purchased a private jet and several expensive cars in late December 2020. The married CEO also began a romantic relationship with an unnamed woman, whom he showered with expensive gifts. However, since details of his new lifestyle in Brazil emerged, some victims of the MTI Ponzi scheme have been eager to see Steynberg prosecuted in South Africa.

But as Hanekom explains, if the South African government remains a “passive bystander,” Steynberg will likely be extradited to the United States. If that happens, the chances of those based outside the United States recovering their funds will depend on countries like South Africa triggering “the provisions of the Legal Assistance Treaty with the United States.”

Should Johann Steynberg be extradited to South Africa? Tell us what you think in the comments below.

Terence Zimwara

Terence Zimwara is an award-winning journalist, author and writer from Zimbabwe. He has written extensively about the economic struggles of some African countries, as well as how digital currencies can provide an escape route for Africans.

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