The extradition of a 53-year-old Lithuanian real estate agent has been suspended after French authorities were unable to find her, Cyprus Police said on Wednesday. She had been released under restrictive conditions while challenging a European Arrest Warrant issued by the Republic of Cyprus.
Handover to Cyprus suspended
Police spokesperson Vyronas Vyronos told CNA that French authorities recently informed Cyprus Police that they had been unable to locate the woman. His comments confirmed a report published by Politis on Tuesday.
“The French authorities informed us that they cannot locate her at this stage,” Vyronos said.
Following the French court’s decision to execute the European Arrest Warrant, the woman had to be located and arrested before she could be surrendered to Cyprus.
“When they went to find her so that they could proceed with her arrest, they could not locate her,” he said.
Cypriot authorities had been ready to take custody of the woman but were asked to suspend the process until she is found.
Released under restrictive conditions
Vyronos said the woman had been released subject to conditions, as permitted under the French legal system.
When French authorities later attempted to locate her to begin the surrender process, she had left her declared place of residence.
Asked whether a new warrant had been issued or other measures had been taken, Vyronos said he did not know the details of the procedure being followed in France.
He added that French authorities would be expected to take the necessary steps to locate her and enforce the court’s decision ordering her surrender to Cyprus.
Arrested at Nice airport
The Lithuanian real estate agent was arrested at Nice airport on 16 May under a European Arrest Warrant issued by the Republic of Cyprus.
The warrant relates to an investigation into complaints concerning the alleged usurpation of Greek Cypriot properties in the occupied areas.
She challenged the execution of the warrant, but a French court ultimately rejected her appeal.
Source: CNA
