Czechs Allow Extradition of Lebanese to U.S., Fayad's Fate Depends on Cabinet

Czech Justice Minister Robert Pelikan has agreed to extradite an Ivory Coast national of Lebanese origin to the United States to face weapons charges although another alleged accomplice remains in Lebanese custody.

The Czech Justice Ministry spokeswoman, Tereza Schejbalova, confirmed the decision Thursday.

Faozi Abdul Menhem Jaber was one from a group of three who were arrested in Prague 2014 while allegedly trying to sell weapons to undercover U.S. law enforcement agents who pretended to be from a Colombian terrorist group.

But Pelikan refused to allow the extradition of the other two, Lebanon's Ali Taan Fayad and Ivory Coast citizen Khaled el-Merebi, who also holds the Lebanese nationality, drawing a strong criticism from the U.S.

The Feb. 4 move came on the same day that five Czech citizens who went missing in Lebanon in July returned home in a swap deal struck by the Czech government for their release.

Fayad was arrested at the Rafik Hariri International Airport upon his arrival to Beirut.

According to al-Akbhar daily published on Friday, Lebanon's Justice Ministry has received the extradition file of Fayad in order to study it.

General Prosecutor Samir Hammoud will review the file and task a judge to interrogate Fayad before referring a report to acting Justice Minister Alice Shabtini, said the newspaper.

But the decision to extradite the suspect should be taken by the Lebanese government, added al-Akhbar.

G.K.

D.A.