WORLD : U.S. Asks Khashoggi Extradition

BERN, Switzerland —  The United States today asked Switzerland to extradite financier Adnan Khashoggi to face racketeering and other charges related to alleged thefts from the Philippine government by Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos.

The Swiss Federal Police Office received the 243-page extradition request today and was studying it, a Justice Ministry statement said.

Khashoggi, 54, a Saudi financier and arms dealer, has been imprisoned in Bern since he was arrested April 18 at the request of the U.S. Embassy.

U.S. indictments charge Khashoggi, a jet-setter once reputed to be among the world’s richest men, with helping the ousted Philippines president and his wife hide the purchase of more than $100 million in real estate and art allegedly acquired with money stolen from the Philippine Treasury.