Greek Cypriot court upholds Hezbollah suspect’s US extradition
Greek Cyprus’ supreme court on May 29 upheld an order to
extradite a suspected Hezbollah member to the U.S. on money laundering charges,
official media said.
A five-judge bench unanimously dismissed an appeal against a
decision by a lower court in September 2019 to extradite the man, identified
only by his surname Diab, the Greek Cyprus News Agency said.
The suspect is wanted by authorities in Florida for alleged
money laundering crimes.
According to the extradition papers, the charges related to
money laundering in excess of $100,000 (90,000 euros), conspiracy to money
launder, the transfer of unlicensed money and illegal use of wireless
communication.
The court said the suspect, as a member of Hezbollah- a
powerful Shiite movement in Lebanon, which the U.S. considers a terrorist
organization- conspired with individuals in 2014 to launder drug money.
Diab was arrested at Larnaca airport in Greek Cyprus when he
arrived from Lebanon in March 2019.
Police apprehended him when they found there was a
U.S.-issued warrant for his arrest.
The supreme court ruled he will remain in detention until
his extradition can be arranged by the justice ministry.
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