Ukrainian to be extradited to Germany on prostitution charge

A 37-YEAR-old Ukrainian man is to be extradited to Germany, charged with soliciting and abducting women for prostitution.

The Justice Ministry announced yesterday that three German officers were expected to arrive on the island to return him for trial.

Alexander Karpenko has been wanted by the German authorities since August 1994, and was arrested by Cypriot police at Larnaca Airport on May 16, 1997. After the relevant procedures, the Nicosia District court agreed to hand him over to the German police on August 6.

Karpenko contested this decision by applying for Habeas Corpus. While the Supreme Court was reviewing his application, he fled police custody on September 11. He was found and arrested on October 3 and sentenced to six weeks imprisonment for escaping. This term expired on October 27.

In the meantime, the Supreme Court has dismissed Karpenko’s application for Habeas Corpus.

He will be escorted back to Germany on Saturday upon the arrival of the German officers to the island.

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