The French government has given the green light for the extradition of Kazakh tycoon and opposition figure Mukhtar Ablyazov to Russia where he is accused of embezzling billions of dollars, his lawyer told AFP Monday.

French Prime Minister Manuel Valls signed the extradition decree on September 17 and Ablyazov was informed last week at the French prison where he is being held, lawyer Peter Sahlas said, adding that his client intended to challenge the decision.