Steinmetz Detained then Released in Greece
October 15, 24
(IDEX Online) - Mining and diamond magnate Beny Steinmetz was detained by police in Greece over an arrest warrant issued in Romania.
Steinmetz, who arrived in Athens on a private flight on Sunday (13 October) was later released from custody but ordered not to leave the country, according to a Reuters report.
He was convicted, in his absence, of a $152m land deal fraud by a court in Romania and sentenced to a five-year jail term in December 2020.
"The Greek legal system has already ruled finally and irreversibly against extraditing Steinmetz to Romania," a representative of Steinmetz told Globes, the Israeli business news website.
"Mr Steinmetz has been released until the issue is officially arranged."
Steinmetz, 66, (pictured) a French-Israeli citizen, started out as a diamond trader in Antwerp, founded SDG (Steinmetz Diamonds Group) with his brother Daniel, became a major supplier and manufacturer, then diversified into real estate, mining, minerals, financing, oil and gas.