US extradition request made for Geagea's accomplice
Lebanon, International, 8/21/1997

The state prosecutor on August 20 completed a formal request for the extradition from the United States of a Lebanese fugitive wanted for involvement in the 1990 killing of Christian leader Dany Chammoun.

A warrant for the arrest of Elie Gerges Akiki, 40, was issued in May 1995, after his conviction in the Chamoun murder case. He was sentenced in absentia to ten years in jail at hard labor.

Judge Adnan Addoum sent the petition, along with a number of supporting documents, to justice Minister Bahij Tabbara, who will file the request through diplomatic channels, despite the lack of an extradition treaty between Lebanon and the US.

The original arrest warrant had been distributed to word capitals through Interpol.

Akiki is wanted as an accomplice to Christian warlord Samir Geagea, who was convicted and sentenced to life for masterminding the assassination of Chammoun, his wife Ingrid, and their two small sons, Tareq and Julian. Akiki was also ordered to pay 250 million Lebanese Lira compensation to Chammoun's surviving daughters, Tracy and Tamara.

Acting on the Lebanese warrant through Interpol, US federal authorities arrested Akiki in Washington on July 23.

The Lebanese government was promptly notified and two days later it officially advised the US government that it would seek his extradition as soon as all the supporting documents were readied.

However, a day later the government and judiciary were advised that Akiki had been released. His present whereabouts remain unknown.

Addoum decided to push ahead with the request, despite Akiki's release, which judicial sources described as provocative, especially since it came at a time when the US was pressing Lebanon to sign accords for cooperation in combating crime and bringing criminals to trial.

Previous Stories:
  Chamoun murder accomplice held in USA   (7/28/1997)

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