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Israeli mining tycoon held in Greece on Romanian arrest warrant

Israeli mining tycoon held in Greece on Romanian arrest warrant

Israeli mining magnate Beny Steinmetz has been released from custody in Greece but has been banned from leaving the country as he awaits a court decision on an arrest warrant issued by Romania, police and legal sources said on Monday.

Steinmetz was arrested by Greek police on Sunday evening, hours after he arrived at Athens international airport on a private plane, police sources said.

A European arrest warrant has been issued against him on behalf of Romania on charges related to involvement in a criminal organization, a police official said on condition of anonymity.

On Monday, the 68-year-old appeared before a prosecutor who ruled he should be released on bail and with restrictions, including a travel ban, while he awaits a court panel’s decision on his arrest and extradition.

In 2022, a Greek court, examining his case on the basis of another arrest warrant against him issued by Romania, ruled against his extradition. Romania later submitted a new application.

Israeli billionaire Beny Steinmetz leaves the courthouse with his lawyer Marc Bonnant after the verdict on corruption charges in Geneva, Switzerland, January 22, 2021. (Credit: REUTERS/DENIS BALIBOUSE)

“It is unprecedented for the rule of law in Greece or any other respected country that such an administrative act overturns a decision of the Greek judiciary that had finally and irrevocably ruled against his extradition to Romania and recognized his right to travel freely,” Steinmetz said “Lawyer Stavros Togias said in a statement.

The allegations against Steinmetz are “unfounded,” say his lawyers

Steinmetz’s defense lawyers have dismissed the Romanian authorities’ allegations as “unfounded” and described Romania’s extradition requests as “abusive.”

In November 2023, the Cyprus Court of Appeal ruled against the extradition of Steinmetz to Romania, overturning a lower court ruling. A court in Italy also rejected a similar extradition request from Romania against Steinmetz.