Danish fraud suspect to leave South Africa

A Danish woman suspected of a huge fraud at home will return to Denmark, a South African court ruled Thursday.

 The magistrate at Johannesburg’s Randburg court said Britta Nielsen would return to Denmark accompanied by a Danish police officer later in the day.

Piet du Plessis, Nielsen’s attorney, told court that the 64-year-old Danish civil servant “is cooperating fully” with international and Danish authorities.

She is the main suspect in a fraud case that caused a Danish government welfare agency to lose at least 111 million kroner ($17 million).

In court, she sat quietly with her legs crossed, short hair dyed black, a cardigan over her arms and wearing sneakers.

Du Plessis read a statement saying Nielsen was willing to fly home, meaning no formal extradition was needed.

“We have made an agreement with the state that the matter against Ms Nielsen would be withdrawn (.) and as a free person she would accompany” officials back to Denmark, du Plessis told The Associated Press.