Back in June, Freddie Gibbs was arrested in France in connection with a rape allegedly committed last year in Austria. After he was released from prison on $56,000 bail, a French court ordered that he be extradited to Austria to face charges. As XXL points out, Austrian news outlet Orf.at reports that the rapper was just relocated to Austria last week, where he has been in custody at Josefstadt, Vienna since Sunday. At this stage, it appears that he has not been charged with a crime, and Gibbs and his lawyers continue to maintain his innocence.
UPDATE: One of Gibbs' attorneys, Theodore Simon, has issued the following statement:
Mr. Freddie Gibbs while free on bail in France voluntarily withdrew his procedural extradition appeal. He did so to work cooperatively with authorities to assure a smooth transfer to Austria and to further enhance the opportunity for an expedited decision on the merits. Freddie has faithfully abided by all terms and conditions of his release and transfer set by the Court. He continues to pursue every available means to demonstrate that he is absolutely innocent and that he has been both belatedly and wrongly accused. To be clear and accurate, to date Freddie Gibbs has not, we reiterate, Freddie Gibbs has not been charged with any offense. An investigation is continuing. Mr. Gibbs remains hopeful that a thorough and searching investigation will reveal the actual facts, including the absence of any scientific, physical, or credible evidence implicating him, thereby paving the way for his exoneration and return to his family and one-year-old child. Consistent with the available legal practices and procedures in Austria, Mr. Gibbs will ask the Court to release him on bail, under reasonable terms and conditions, as was done in France. Through counsel Mr. Freddie Gibbs has consistently remained fully cooperative with law enforcement offices and judicial systems in both France and Austria and will continue to do so.
Theodore Simon
