Report: Freddie Gibbs Extradited To Austria Following Rape Accusation
Update: The rapper’s attorney says he “voluntarily withdrew his procedural extradition appeal.”
Earlier this summer, rapper Freddie Gibbs was arrested shortly before taking the stage at a concert in Toulouse, France over a rape allegation stemming from a 2015 incident in Austria.
Since then, the case has taken many twists and turns, with Gibbs' release initially being delayed before he was granted $56,000 bail. Near the end of June, a French judge granted Austria's extradition request, a ruling that Gibbs' lawyers attempted to appeal.
"To be clear and accurate, Freddie Gibbs has not, we reiterate, Freddie Gibbs has not been charged with any offense," Gibbs' lawyers told The FADER at the time. "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."
But now it looks as if their efforts to keep Gibbs out of Austria have failed. According to Orf.at, Gibbs was quietly extradited to Austria back in July and is awaiting his day in court from a prison in Josefstadt, Vienna. He still has yet to be formally charged.
The FADER has reached out to Gibbs' manager Ben Lambert for comment on the case.
Update: In a statement to The FADER, Gibbs' attorney, Theodore Simon, says the rapper "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," the statement continues. "Freddie has faithfully abided by all terms and conditions of his release and transfer set by the Court."
According to Simon, Gibbs will ask to be released on bail in Austria as he did in France with a promise to remain "fully cooperative with law enforcement offices and judicial systems in both France and Austria."