Swedish PM Reinfeldt criticises use of European warrant to apprehend Unibet CEO

Swedish PM Reinfeldt criticises use of European warrant to apprehend Unibet CEO

	Published : Thu, 25 Oct 2007 10:23 By : Agencies Print this Story

STOCKHOLM (Thomson Financial) - Swedish prime minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, has criticised the use of a European arrest warrant (EAW) to apprehend Unibet Group PLC's Swedish chief executive Petter Nylander for breach of French monopoly law.

The French law dates back to the nineteenth century and is designed to protect French gambling monopolies, which Unibet - an online betting company - has allegedly broken.

Nylander was detained at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport by Dutch authorities on Monday night.

The EAW came into force on Jan 1, 2004 in the wake of heightened concerns over terrorist and international criminal organizations.

'This will naturally lead to a discussion about whether this is the kind of alleged crime that they (EWA) were really intended for,' said Reinfeldt.

Reinfeldt's comments came as Swedish media reported a Dutch court has ruled Nylander is to be handed over to French authorities next week.

The Amsterdam court said Nylander should be released from police custody pending his surrender to France.

The Swede's lawyers said they would not contest the French application.

The judge has ordered Nylander to surrender his passport, in order to prevent him leaving the country before the order to surrender him to France is effected.

The European Court of Justice has previously stated that it is against EU law to bring criminal proceedings against legitimate gaming operators based in other EU member states.

The European Commission has launched a legal challenge to the French betting monopoly.

'We believe that the French sports betting legislation is not in line with (European) community law,' said a spokesperson.

Unibet is a international bookmaker specializing in online sports betting.

simon.richardson@thomson.com

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