Cyprus ponders over US request to hand over spy suspect’s belongings

The Cypriot authorities are examining a formal request from the US for access to items belonging to a suspect wanted in connection with a spy ring who fled the island after a local judge released him on bail, despite an international arrest warrant issued against him.
“The US request to have access to documents or other items, the property of a suspect wanted in the US on spying charges, has been communicated to the Cyprus Police Chief who is in consultation with the Attorney General on the matter,” Police spokesman Michalis Katsounotos said on Saturday.
He said the Law Office of the Republic of Cyprus will decide on the US request on the basis of the provisions of the extradition agreement of fugitives fleeing justice and the handling of evidence relating to the case.
Speaking to the press in Limassol, Katsounotos said that according to available information so far, it is still not clear whether 54-year-old Canadian national Robert Christopher Metsos, accused of espionage in connection with an alleged Russian spy network operating in the United States, has actually left Cyprus.
“The lapse of time from the minute his traces have vanished shows that he has probably abandoned the country but it is not clear how or where this has occurred,” he added.
The Police Spokesman assured that the Cypriot Authorities are doing all they can to locate the fugitive and to establish the circumstances of his escape. Metsos has gone missing after being released on bail.
Asked why the police had not put Metsos under surveillance after he was released by the Court on bail, Katsounotos said discreet surveillance could have been effective but also pointed out that nobody can violate the privacy of an individual to ensure that he or she does not jump bail.
Cypriot Police received on June, 26, an international arrest warrant issued by Interpol at the request of the US Authorities, asking for the extradition of Metsos to the US so he can face charges of espionage for Russia and money laundering, before the New York Court.