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UN says it is cooperating after Spanish court approves extradition in UNOPS bribery case
Summary
A journalist raised a Spanish court decision to extradite former UN official (referred to in the briefing as Vinchenbaum) to the U.S. on bribery charges; UN spokesperson Farhan said the organization has cooperated with authorities and will continue to do so, and deferred detailed answers to the incoming UNOPS executive director.
During the briefing, a journalist asked about a Spanish court's approval to extradite a former Assistant‑Secretary‑General involved with UNOPS (identified in the question as Vinchenbaum) to the United States on bribery charges.
Spokesperson Farhan said the UN "certainly cooperated with the authorities" and has been "supportive of the efforts to make sure that justice is served in the case" and that the UN will continue to cooperate as needed. He said detailed discussion of accountability and financial recovery should await remarks from the UNOPS executive director, who was expected to join the briefing from Jerusalem.
When pressed whether the UN could recover funds, Farhan declined to provide a definitive answer and said he would wait for the UNOPS executive director to address the matter. The briefing included no confirmation of recovered funds or timelines for restitution.
