Beny Steinmetz Arrested in Athens on Corruption Charges

Israeli billionaire Beny Steinmetz was arrested in Athens on October 14, 2024, after arriving from Tel Aviv, following a European arrest warrant issued by Romania for his alleged involvement in a criminal organization. Steinmetz, who was previously convicted in Romania for illegally reclaiming land, has faced multiple extradition requests, all of which have been denied by Greece and Cyprus due to concerns over prison conditions. After his arrest, he was released on bail with restrictions, including a travel ban, awaiting a judicial decision regarding his extradition. His lawyer criticized the arrest as an unprecedented abuse of process, arguing it contradicts previous Greek court rulings against extradition. Steinmetz's legal troubles are compounded by similar cases against his co-defendants, including Romanian Prince Paul, who has also evaded extradition. The case highlights ongoing tensions between Romanian authorities and European countries over extradition practices.