Unibet Chief Travels To France Wednesday

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Published: Monday, October 29, 2007 mgowanbo.cc

Nylander remains confined to Holland but not in detention

Hopes that Petter Nylander, the CEO of Unibet arrested on a French European warrant at Schipol Airport last week, would be able to travel to France and secure his release immediately after the weekend have been dashed by the news that he will now not appear before the French judge who issued the warrant until Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the French gambling monopoly Française des Jeux says Nylander was arrested for refusing to attend an interview requested by French authorities to question him regarding charges laid last year under a 19th century protectionist law by FDJ.

In a statement issued late last week, Francaise des Jeux (FDJ) said the arrest of Unibet chief executive Petter Nylander came as “a result of his refusal to attend an interview request by the French authorities”.

Ragnar Hellenius, the acting CEO of Unibet, says that Nylander will be transferred to Paris on Wednesday. “This is a very complicated legal process and we will of course follow the instructions from the authorities," Hellenius added. "We take for granted that when Petter is finally on French soil on Wednesday, the judge will release him. For us, Petter’s release is most important and we are working with the authorities to facilitate this process.”

His comment follows statements from French government officials last week that FDJ would be asked to drop the charges.

France is also expected to submit its regulatory proposals on online gaming to the European Commission by Wednesday, which will be considered to determine whether these are proportionate and non-discriminatory and comply with European Union trade regulations.   

The French monopoly claimed in its statement that had Nylander “presented himself when he was asked to, of course the judge would not have issued an arrest warrant against him.”  FDJ spokesmen explained that “....once it is engaged, the public prosecution against Unibet is no longer dependent on the complainant.”