Two brothers from the rich Gupta family have been arrested in the UAE, according to South African and Emirati officials.
In South Africa, Atul and Rajesh Gupta are accused of benefitting from their close ties with former President Jacob Zuma and wielding unfair influence.
Extradition talks are now underway between the two countries.
After a judicial commission began investigating their role in corruption in 2018, the brothers departed South Africa.
They are suspected of paying bribes to secure lucrative state contracts and influence influential government positions.
They strongly deny any misconduct.
According to a statement issued by Dubai Police, the two individuals are being held “in connection with money laundering and criminal allegations in South Africa.”
The force stated that it acted after receiving an Interpol “red notice,” which is a request to law enforcement agencies to arrest a wanted person pending extradition.
