FYROM’s former anti-terror chief likely to be extradited

A Supreme Court prosecutor on Wednesday called for the extradition to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) of Dejan Vucovic, formerly the head of FYROM’s special anti-terrorism unit.

The 30-year-old was arrested in Thessaloniki, northern Greece, in late February on an international warrant issued by the Balkan state on charges of drug trafficking and illegal possession of arms.

Last month a Thessaloniki misdemeanors court accepted a request by FYROM authorities for the extradition of Vucovic, rejecting his claims that he will face torture and even death if he is returned to FYROM.

Vucovic lodged an appeal against the rejection which was heard on Wednesday.

The 30-year-old, who is being kept in Thessaloniki’s Diavata Prison, claims to have been framed by ethnic Albanian officials in his native FYROM and maintains that his prosecution is connected to the ongoing political turmoil in FYROM.

The criminal section of the Supreme Court is expected to issue a ruling on May 25.