In a significant development in international extradition cases, Israeli mining magnate Beny Steinmetz has appealed a Greek court’s decision to extradite him to Romania.
Steinmetz was detained in Greece on October 13, 2024, upon arrival at Athens International Airport, based on a Romanian arrest warrant alleging illegal attempts to secure land rights in Romania. His legal team has labeled these allegations as unfounded and described Romania’s extradition requests as abusive. Notably, previous court decisions in Greece, Cyprus, and Italy have rejected similar extradition requests from Romania.
Currently, Steinmetz remains in custody in a Greek hospital. His lawyer, Stavros Togias, has expressed confidence in the Greek justice system, despite their disappointment with the initial ruling.
This case underscores the complexities of international extradition proceedings, especially when multiple jurisdictions are involved and previous requests have been denied. The outcome of Steinmetz’s appeal will likely have significant implications for international legal cooperation and the enforcement of cross-border judicial decisions.
