Supreme Court clears Vucovic extradition to FYROM
The criminal section of Greece’s Supreme Court on Thursday rejected an appeal against the extradition to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) of Dejan Vucovic, formerly the head of FYROM’s special anti-terrorism unit.
The 30-year-old was arrested in Thessaloniki, northern Greece, in late February on an international warrant issued by Skopje on charges of drug trafficking and illegal possession of arms.
Vucovic claims to have been framed by ethnic Albanian officials in FYROM and maintains that his prosecution is connected to the ongoing political turmoil in FYROM. He claims he will face torture and even death if he is returned to the Balkan state.
Last month a Thessaloniki misdemeanors court accepted a request by FYROM authorities for his extradition.
An extradition order can only be approved by the Greek justice minister. A decision is also pending on Vucovic’s request for political asylum.
