Christopher Skase; Fugitive Businessman Wanted in Australia

Christopher Skase, 52, a fugitive businessman wanted on criminal charges in Australia relating to the collapse of his Qintex empire, died Sunday of stomach cancer on the Spanish island of Majorca.

Skase was wanted in his native Australia on more than 30 criminal charges relating to the $775-million collapse of his media and entertainment holdings. Millions of dollars in personal debt, he fled to Spain in 1991, and had since eluded attempts to extradite him to Australia, saying he was too ill to travel.

Australian authorities were dubious that Skase was critically ill, although his doctor asserted last month that Skase was dying of stomach cancer and was unfit to leave his home on Majorca. Many in Australia thought the claims of illness were a ruse to protect Skase from criminal prosecution.