Israeli mining and diamonds magnate Beny Steinmetz was detained at Athens International Airport on Sunday under a warrant issued by Romanian authorities. He faces prosecution in the Balkan country for, among other charges, involvement in a criminal organization.
According to Skai TV, 68-year-old Stenmetz was arrested upon his arrival in Athens from Tel Aviv on his private jet and during the passport control.
He was later released on bail of 5,000 euros and has been banned from leaving the country, until appeals judges will reevaluate his case.
Steinmetz was again arrested in Athens in 2022 with the Greek judiciary to have rejected Romania’s extradition request. Judges has ruled that his right to a fair trial in Romania would be violated and that he faced a real risk of inhuman and degrading treatment if extradited.
A year ago, the businessman was arrested at Larnaca Airport due to a European Arrest Warrant (EAW) issued by Romanian authorities but was released on bail.
Steinmetz was convicted in absentia by the Romania’s Supreme Court in 2020 over fraudulent land deals that took place between 2006 and 2008.
