Namibian court delays US software fugitive's trial

Wed Mar 4, 2009 6:27am EST
 
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WINDHOEK, March 4 (Reuters) - Fugitive U.S. millionaire Jacob "Kobi" Alexander on Wednesday won a further delay in his legal battle to avoid extradition from Namibia over an alleged scheme to backdate millions of executive stock options.

Alexander, the former chief executive of New-York based software maker Comverse Technology Inc, has denied wrongdoing, blaming instead poor financial and legal advice. He is fighting efforts to send him back to the United States to face trial.

Cosmos Endjala, the presiding magistrate, said the case would be heard on June 9 to allow time for Alexander to challenge the constitutionality of his extradition in the country's Supreme Court of Appeal.

Alexander has bought a home in Namibia and pledged to invest $14 million in business and charitable projects in the southwestern African nation, prompting critics to accuse him of buying influence.

He has fought extradition since his arrest in 2006 by Interpol officers, acting on a warrant issued by the U.S. Department of Justice. (Reporting by Paulus Ashipala; Writing by Phumza Macanda)