Vienna—Ukrainian billionaire Dmytro Firtash, 48, was arrested here March 12 by Austrian police under a warrant issued by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation. The warrant alleges he paid bribes and formed a criminal organization. Firtash has made his money in several ways, including trading natural gas with the Russians, and he has close ties with businessmen in that country as well as the former pro-Russian Ukrainian government. He is also heavily invested in several additional businesses, including nitrogen maker Ostchem and Ukrainian media and banking. The DF Group, which is under his control, reportedly employs some 100,000 in Ukraine. The U.S. is expected to seek extradition. Although the arrest does not appear to have anything to do with the current Russia-Ukraine crisis, observers note that it may send a signal to Russia of what may be in store if the U.S. imposes additional sanctions.
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