Italian court to decide whether to keep Yona in jail
Heftsiba owner's lawyer isn't empowered to represent him in Italy so extradition proceedings will be handled by Italian lawyer.
By DAN IZENBERGBoaz Yona 224.88(photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski)
Boaz Yona's lawyer, Ya'ir Golan, returned to Israel on Thursday after meeting in Italy with his client, who is currently being held in jail on the basis of an international arrest warrant.
Golan told The Jerusalem Post he was not empowered to represent Heftsiba construction company owner Yona in Italy and therefore all the proceedings regarding Israel's intention to request Yona's extradition will be handled by his Italian lawyer, Daniela de Voan.
According to Italian law, Israel has 40 days to submit a formal request to extradite Yona. He was arrested last week in accordance with the international arrest warrant listing some of the allegations against him, including the suspicion that he embezzled $70 million from his company.
In the meantime, the question facing the Italian court is whether or not Yona should be remanded in jail until Israel files the request, or be given more lenient terms. During the first hearing on Tuesday, de Voan asked that her client be placed under house arrest in the apartment where his wife and children are currently staying.
Asked whether the reports were true that Yona would resist being sent back to Israel, Golan said, "He raised his concerns [in court] that if he returns to Israel, there are those who might hurt him and his family."
Golan has not represented Yona before in any capacity. He will take over the case if and when Yona is sent home.
