Israel Extradites Patrick Blaise to France for Carbon Emissions Fraud Sentence

Patrick Blaise, an Israeli citizen convicted in France for his role in a massive carbon emissions fraud scheme, was extradited from Israel to France yesterday to serve a four-year prison sentence. Blaise was found guilty of participating in a VAT carousel fraud involving carbon emission allowances worth approximately 283 million euros, one of Europe's largest fraud cases, known as the "Fraud of the Century." He was sentenced in 2016 in absentia after fleeing to Israel shortly before the verdict.

The Supreme Court of Israel rejected Blaise's appeal against extradition in late June 2026, affirming the decision of Justice Minister Yariv Levin to extradite him under an international treaty. The court described Blaise's flight as contrary to public policy. Blaise was convicted of fraud involving 52 million euros and money laundering linked to the criminal group operating between 2008 and 2012. He controlled two companies used in the scheme, which manipulated the carbon emission allowances market established under the Kyoto Protocol.

The fraudulent scheme involved buying carbon allowances tax-free in cross-border transactions and selling them domestically in France with VAT charged, pocketing nearly 284 million euros in unpaid taxes. Blaise was also found responsible for opening foreign bank accounts to launder the proceeds. Despite being present at his initial trial in France, he was absent for the verdict and sentencing. His 2017 appeal in France was rejected, and the sentence became final that year.

Following France's extradition request in 2024, the Jerusalem District Court declared Blaise extraditable in early 2026. Blaise's lawyers argued the statute of limitations applied due to delays by French authorities, but the Supreme Court dismissed this claim. The extradition was coordinated by Israel's International Department of the State Attorney's Office, Israeli Police, and Interpol's special operations unit.