A South African court has denied Mozambique‘s request to appeal a decision to extradite former Finance Minister Manuel Chang to the United States.
A Johannesburg court ordered Chang’s extradition to the United States in November, where he is accused of corruption, fraud, and money laundering.
However, the Mozambique government petitioned South Africa’s constitutional court for permission to appeal the sentence. On Tuesday, the court dismissed the request.
The Mozambican government wanted him extradited to Maputo, where 19 other suspects are on trial on similar charges.
Chang is accused of crimes relating to loans taken out by Mozambique during his tenure as finance minister.
He authorised more than $2.7 billion in loans to establish a sophisticated tuna industry, including the purchase of trawlers and military patrol boats, but much of it was allegedly diverted to corrupt officials.
He denies accepting bribes totaling $7 million. He was arrested in December 2018 at the request of the US, where the scandal affected investors.
Since his arrest following an indictment in a New York district court, the former finance minister has been held in a South African prison.
According to court documents, he was arrested while on his way to the United Arab Emirates.