Israeli mining magnate Steinmetz appeals Greek extradition order

Israeli mining magnate Beny Steinmetz has appealed a Greek court ruling ordering his extradition to Romania on an arrest warrant, his lawyer and sources have said.

Steinmetz has appealed against the decision at the country’s Supreme Court, his lawyer Stavros Togias said.

“Despite our deepest disappointment, the ruling does not bend my client’s confidence in Greek justice,” Togias said in a statement.

Steinmetz, 68, is currently held in custody while in hospital in Greece.

He was initially detained by Greek police on October 13, hours after he arrived on a private aircraft at Athens International Airport, under a Romanian-issued European arrest warrant.

The warrant had been issued against him in relation to a case dating back several years and concerning his involvement in a group which allegedly illegally tried to secure land rights in Romania.

Romania convicted Steinmetz, the “Diamond King,” in absentia in 2020 for allegedly participating in a scheme to illegally claim land.

Steinmetz denies the allegations, with his legal advisors dismissing the Romanian authorities’ accusations as “unfounded” and calling the extradition requests by Romania “abusive,” arguing that he has the right to travel freely.

In 2022, a Greek court that examined his case had ruled against his extradition. Last year, Cyprus’ Court of Appeal also ruled against his extradition to Romania, overturning a lower court ruling. A court in Italy has also rejected the request.

The Supreme Court’s ruling will determine whether Steinmetz will be sent to Romania to serve his sentence or remain in Greece. 

[Reuters, Kathimerini]