Karlheinz Schreiber Deported To Germany
German Businessman Faces Charges, Possible Jail Time
Schreiber who now holds Canadian citizenship implicated former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney in a kickback scandal, which has resulted in a public inquiry. He faces criminal charges and jail time in Germany. He was first arrested in 1999 on a German warrant, and has been fighting to stay in Canada ever since.
Schreiber Lawyers Question Deportation Timing
He was briefly held at the Don Valley West Detention Centre. On his way into the jail Schreiber spoke briefly with reporters. According to remarks published on CTV.CA he told those assembled he disagreed with the outcome of his case, feeling the object was to get him to stay silent: “The whole approach is again to get my mouth shut and keep me out of the country.”
Meanwhile in court, his lawyer Edward Greenspan openly questioned the timing of the deportation order according to remarks published on THESTAR.Com: “To be served Friday night (July 31st) on a long weekend… is unfair… devious… and unnecessary. It’s a purposeful attempt to make sure Mr. Schreiber will have no recourse on his extradition to Germany.” Once Schreiber is on his way to Germany, there’s no way to reverse the extradition.
Crown lawyers argued the timing didn’t matter. Schreiber had to meet three conditions. First that the extradition was serious enough to be tried, second that he faced some kind of serious physical harm when returned to Germany, and third that Schreiber must win the balance of convenience. He failed to meet the conditions, and was deported.
Faces Charges of Tax Evasion, Bribery
After his recent arrival in Germany Schreiber was immediately taken to jail, and held until a first court appearance Tuesday August 4, 2009. He appeared in court, and was charged with tax evasion, and bribery, which carry a possible sentence of 15 years.
The bribery charges stem from dealings with former Chancellor Helmut Kohl’s Christian Democratic Union party. In 1991 it’s alleged he gave a cash donation to party Treasurer Walther Leisler triggering a scandal that only worsened when Kohl admitted eight years later he took illegal donations.
While in Canada Schreiber was in trouble over business dealings with former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney. Schreiber says he gave $300 thousand CAD to Mulroney in installments dating back to when he was Prime Minister. Mulroney has so far denied these accusations.
The Oliphant Inquiry examined the truth of the accusations Both Mulroney and Schreiber testified, and it wrapped up Friday July 31st. Schreiber is 75 years old.
Karlheinz Schreiber
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