French-Israeli business magnate Beny Steinmetz, who faces a five-year prison term in Romania, has been arrested in Cyprus on a European warrant issued by Bucharest, his spokesman said on September 3. Steinmetz was sentenced in absentia in December 2020 on charges of forming an organized criminal group in a series of land deals in Romania in 2006-08. Italy and Greece had previously declined to enforce the same warrant. An extradition hearing is pending. A statement by his spokesman said, "Steinmetz welcomes the opportunity to be vindicated in…Romania, a country infamous for its disrespect to human rights." To read the original story by RFE/RL’s Romanian Service, click here.
French-Israeli Business Tycoon Steinmetz Detained In Cyprus On Romanian Warrant
Beny Steinmetz (file photo)