Argentina's Supreme Court approves nine extraditions for drug trafficking, homicide and money laundering
Argentina's Supreme Court confirmed nine extraditions requested by the US, Venezuela, Brazil, Russia, Peru and Chile for serious offences.
Argentina extradites nine people sought by six countries for serious offences
Argentina's Supreme Court of Justice confirmed the extradition of nine people required by the United States, Venezuela, Brazil, the Russian Federation, Peru and Chile for offences including money laundering, drug trafficking, aggravated homicide and sexual abuse, according to revistaquorum.com.ar. The ruling was decided by judges Horacio Rosatti, Carlos Rosenkrantz and Ricardo Lorenzetti, after evaluating first-instance decisions, arguments from the accused and the opinion of the Office of the Attorney General.
One of the most economically significant cases is that of Benjamín Daniel Levy, sought by the United States to stand trial in New York courts for conspiracy to commit money laundering. He is alleged to have laundered more than 50 million dollars from drug trafficking between 2018 and 2020. Washington also seeks Juan Carlos Argüello Villalba, a Paraguayan citizen accused of criminal association and electronic fraud.
Venezuela requested the extradition of Luis Ángel Gotopio, charged with drug trafficking and criminal association. Brazil, for its part, seeks Mónica Soledad De Oliveira, who must serve a sentence of 10 years, three months and 20 days in closed custody, plus 1,268 days of fines, for criminal association and international drug trafficking.
The Russian Federation requested the extradition of a defendant identified as I.G. to stand trial in a drug case. The accused had opposed the transfer, claiming a risk of torture or cruel treatment, but the ruling indicated that the requesting state committed to guaranteeing his defence and safety. The Court also authorised Argentine diplomatic authorities to visit the detainee to verify compliance with those conditions.
Peru seeks Cristhian Harold Aguayo Tafur for aggravated homicide, and Enrique Gonzales Román—who was subject to an Interpol red notice—to stand trial for kidnapping and aggravated robbery.
Chile requested two extraditions. Augustín Felipe O'Ryan Soler had fled to Argentina to avoid a seven-year prison sentence for rape and aggravated sexual abuse. Aníbal Adrián García García will be tried for robbery with violence and intimidation, and must serve 2,380 days in prison for prior convictions for robbery and receiving of motor vehicles.
In extradition proceedings, the court involved only determines whether the request is formally admissible, without ruling on the merits of the case, which is the responsibility of the requesting country. The Office of the Attorney General acts in representation of the requesting state. The ruling can be appealed to the Supreme Court through an ordinary appeal. If the court approves the extradition, the final decision rests with the Executive branch.
Source: Google News VE — Crime