Romanian Justice Min Sent Draft Extradition Treaty To Syria, No Answer So Far

The Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a press release Thursday evening that Syrian authorities have been sent a draft extradition treaty, which was drawn up by the Justice Ministry. The Justice Ministry said Syria has not yet issued a stand regarding the treaty.

The Foreign Ministry declined to give further details about the treaty or say when it was sent to Syria, saying the Justice Ministry is the one that may release more information on the subject.

The treaty would make possible the extradition to Romania of Syrian businessman Omar Hayssam, convicted to 20 years in prison for terrorism over his role in the kidnapping of three Romanian journalists in Iraq back in 2005.

According to Romanian TV station Realitatea TV, Romanian and Syrian diplomats claim the two countries have reached an agreement regarding Hayssam's extradition.

Romanian President Traian Basescu said in November that his 2008 visit to Syria, which he didn't comment at the time, was to negotiate amendments to the two countries' extradition agreement to make sure Hayssam, who is thought to be hiding in the Arab country, would be extradited to Romania when caught. Basescu also said Hayssam, who fled the country after being sentenced to 20 years in prison for terrorism, will end up serving his sentence in Romania.

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