The federal government's attempts to remove Karlheinz Schreiber from Canada are expected to come under scrutiny this week when his case returns to the Ontario Court of Appeal.
Over the past seven years, Schreiber, 73, who's been locked in a Toronto jail since Oct. 3, has triggered a political scandal in Germany and the prospect of a federal inquiry here in Canada.
But the German-Canadian is also at the centre of a legal and diplomatic feud between Switzerland and Germany – and the standoff between the two nations could have a bearing on his latest legal battle to stay in Canada.
Schreiber is wanted in his native Germany on charges of fraud and tax evasion. Germany alleges he evaded income tax on roughly $46 million by hiding commissions he earned for negotiating the sale of helicopters, aircraft and armaments.
But the former international arms dealer and businessman claims the case against him has collapsed and he is seeking a new extradition hearing in Ontario.
The new developments relate to Swiss banking documents that lay at the heart of Germany's case. Switzerland's justice department says bank records were obtained under false pretences by German officials and can't be used in any cases in that country – in particular, the prosecution of Schreiber. Source...
