Wednesday, November 24, 2010


Former Albania government aide to stand trial in US on murder, drug trafficking charges

TIRANA, Albania - Albanian authorities say they have handed over a former government aide to stand trial in the United States on murder, kidnapping and racketeering charges.

A police spokeswoman says 28-year-old Almir Rrapo was handed to officers from the U.S. Marshals Service early Wednesday. Courts approved the transfer despite claims by Rrapo's lawyers that he could face the death penalty if extradited.

The former senior aide to Albania's deputy prime minister was arrested in July following a U.S. request. Rrapo is accused of being part of an international crime organization that engaged in murder, kidnapping, drug trafficking, extortion, robbery, arson and other crimes, mostly in the New York area.

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