Namibia received no extradition request for Wesley Snipes

Wesley Snipes

WINDHOEK - Namibia has not received a US extradition order for Hollywood actor Wesley Snipes, who faces US$12 million (NZ$18m) tax fraud charges at home but is shooting a movie in the African country, the government said today.

"We only read about it in the newspapers and the US government hasn't communicated to us on the issue or for the possible extradition of the movie star," Lidwina Shapwa, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice, told Reuters.

Snipes, who is shooting a film in the country's dramatic Namib desert, is wanted by the US authorities for allegedly illegally claiming tax refunds of US$12 million.

Media reports in Namibia said an arrest warrant had been issued for Snipes, who plays the lead role in "Gallowwalker", filming near the town of Swakopmund, the coastal resort where superstars Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt had their first child in May.

Ray Castillo, spokesman at the American Embassy in Namibia, said he could not comment on Snipes' alleged tax charges.

"I only heard rumours about the issue," Castillo said.

The 44-year-old Snipes, who has appeared in more than three dozen movies including "Jungle Fever", "White Men Can't Jump" and "Blade", could face 16 years in prison if convicted on all charges.

One of the producers of "Gallowwalker", Michael Gebauer, said the issue had no effect on the shooting of the movie, which would continue until mid-December with Snipes expected to be present until the end.

Namibia has no extradition treaty with the United States, a situation spotlighted last month when fugitive US software millionaire Jacob "Kobi" Alexander was discovered to be living in the southwest African country. Extradition requests can still be pursued through the courts.

Namibia's Ministry of Justice said yesterday it had received a US extradition request for Alexander but legal experts say the United States could be in for a lengthy battle.

- REUTERS