Proceedings to extradite to Russia an Israeli suspected of being the brains behind an international organ-trafficking gang will begin in Cyprus later this month, a court rules.
The hearing will take place on February 21 after documents from Russia approved by the Cyprus justice minister were presented to the court.
Moshe Harel, a 70-year-old travel agent, was arrested at Larnaca airport on December 28 and will remain in custody until the hearing, Larnaca district court ruled.
He is accused of seeking out people needing kidney transplants and luring donors to Kosovo from Turkey and the former Soviet Union.
Both Russia and Kosovo, which Cyprus does not recognize, had issued international arrest warrants for him.
Cypriot authorities activated the Russian request, which was issued last year for offences committed in 2006.
— AFP
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