Venezuela asks Italy to extradite PDVSA former president

Ramirez is under investigation due to irregularities in a contract, signed between PDVSA and the company Petrosaudi Oil Services, regarding gas drilling and extraction.

Venezuela’s Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice (SCJ) declared admissible the extradition request submitted to Italy against PDVSA former president Rafael Ramirez.

Ramirez must return to Venezuela to respond of a criminal proceeding, for the alleged commission of fraudulent embezzlement and evasion of the bidding procedure.

In the request, Venezuelan authorities committed to judging Ramírez only for the aforementioned crimes.

"The requested will not be sentenced to death, life imprisonment, or infamous sentences or sentences of more than 30 years,” said the SCJ.

Ramirez is under investigation due to irregularities in a contract, signed between PDVSA and the company Petrosaudi Oil Services, regarding gas drilling and extraction.