BRAMA, June 2, 2000, 12:00pm EST

Lazarenko to be arraigned in San Francisco

San Francisco (BRAMA) - According to the US Attorney's office in San Francisco, the Pavlo Lazarenko arraignment has been set for June 13. The former Ukrainian Prime Minister has been held in a California Federal prison awaiting an extradition hearing that is scheduled for July 24. Extradition is being sought by Swiss authorities who have charged Lazarenko in a money laundering scheme. He is also wanted in Ukraine on charges of theft of $2.1 million. The arraignment formalizes the conspiracy, money laundering, and other charges that have been brought against him.

Lazarenko has been under investigation for the last two years by the FBI and the IRS, the spokesperson for the US Attorney's office said. He stated that they will be working with Swiss authorities in order to negotiate for precedence. A request to delay extradition will be issued in order to allow the US to proceed with its hearings and legal motions.

The US attorney's office had no comment on whether any charges would be brought against the companies named in the Lazarenko indictment.

H.K.

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