Beny Steinmetz Appeals Greek Court Ruling on Extradition to Romania

Israeli mining magnate Beny Steinmetz has appealed a Greek court ruling that ordered his extradition to Romania, sources and his lawyer have confirmed.

Steinmetz filed the appeal with Greece’s Supreme Court, his attorney, Stavros Togias, stated. “Despite our deep disappointment, the ruling does not shake my client’s confidence in Greek justice,” Togias said in a statement.

Currently, Steinmetz, 68, is in custody while receiving medical treatment in Greece.

He was detained by Greek authorities on October 13, shortly after arriving at Athens International Airport aboard a private jet, under a European arrest warrant issued by Romania.

The warrant stems from a case dating back several years. Steinmetz is accused of being part of a group that allegedly sought to acquire land rights illegally in Romania.

In 2020, Romania convicted Steinmetz, the so-called “Diamond King,” in absentia for his involvement in the land claims scheme. However, Steinmetz denies the charges, with his legal team calling the accusations from Romanian authorities “unfounded” and labeling the extradition requests as “abusive,” insisting that he has the right to travel freely.

In 2022, a Greek court ruled against his extradition, and last year, Cyprus’ Court of Appeal also rejected the request, overturning a lower court’s decision. Additionally, an Italian court dismissed Romania’s extradition request.

The Supreme Court’s upcoming ruling will decide whether Steinmetz will be sent to Romania to serve his sentence or remain in Greece. [Reuters]