Greek authorities are making a new push to extradite Edik — a suspected high-ranking organized crime figure — from the United Arab Emirates, according to information broadcast by ANT1. Dubai authorities are reportedly reviewing a fresh extradition request from Greece, though this is far from the first time the issue has been raised. Edik was previously arrested in the UAE and placed under house arrest, but was ultimately never extradited to Greece. However, Dubai has recently begun breaking with this pattern, most notably by extraditing an Irish drug trafficker.
Read also: “Edik”: Alleged ringleader of illegal cigarette smuggling network arrested in Dubai — “Leonidas” also detained
Edik: Russian authorities warn his life is at risk from imprisoned Greek Mafia members
Investigative journalist Tasos Telloglou reports that, beyond Greece, Cyprus also holds open case files against Edik in connection with a murder, businessman extortion, and a series of car arsons. Cypriot authorities appear, however, to be deferring extradition priority to Greece. Russia has also entered the extradition race — as Edik reportedly holds Russian citizenship — seeking his transfer to face serious extortion charges.
According to ANT1’s reporting, Russian law enforcement agencies have written to their Greek counterparts warning that if Edik is extradited to Greece, his life could be in danger from Greek Mafia members currently serving prison sentences.
