Boaz Yona was arrested on Thursday evening in Italy by local law enforcement authorities, who were accompanied by a representative of Israel Police. Several law enforcement agencies in Israel worked together with Israeli police representatives stationed abroad to track Yona.
When Yona, the former Heftsiba Building chairman and CEO, was arrested, he was eating with his wife, Tamar, who had claimed previously that she did not know where her husband was, and that she feared for his life. Boaz Yona was taken for questioning, while his wife was expected to be released.
Israel is expected to open extradition proceedings against Yona, and the list of charges has already been drawn up. Italy is a signatory to the European Convention on extradition, as is Israel, so no major difficulties are foreseen in the extradition process. Nonetheless, the process can take several weeks, or even months.
Yona is currently being held in Verona. He allegedly traveled from Israel to Romania, and arrived in Italy from Austria.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on September 2, 2007
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