The man's family lives in Germany, and are apparently originally from Lebanon, but he only has Swedish citizenship. Swedish newspapers describe him as "Swedish".
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It was one of the most spectacular bank robberies in Germany. On June 27th, 1995, four masked, armed men entered a bank in the Zehlendorf neighborhood of Berlin. They took 16 customers and employees hostage, placed hand grenades at the front door, and demanded 17 million marks, a car and safe conduct, telling police that human life meant nothing to them. Two more men joined them through a tunnel they had dug under the bank.
The gang received 5.6 million marks and stole about 11 million more from the bank, by breaking into half of the 400 safes. When police finally stormed the bank, early the next morning, they found the entrance to the 170 meter tunnel, and discovered that the men had already disappeared. It had taken months to dig out the tunnel, which included electricity lines, lights and fans.
The men responsible were related to two families who are heavily involved in crimes in Germany, including robbery, drugs, arms trafficking, prostitution and economic crimes.
Six men were indicted for the robbery. Five were caught in 1996. The head of the gang who came from one family and his deputy, who came from the other family, were sentenced to 13 and 12 years. Of the 16.3 million Deutsch marks ($12.4 million), 10 million were never recovered.
Germany police have finally managed to trace the sixth man in Sweden, and had gotten a European arrest warrant for him. Berlin public prosecutor's office spokesperson Michael Grunwald says he's suspected of helping dig the tunnel.
The only problem? He already served his sentence.
Ali Ibrahim (32), little brother to the deputy-head of the gang, was 19 at the time of the robbery. After the robbery he fled to Lebanon, and was arrested in October 1995. Germany tried to extradite him, but because he was stateless and still lived in Lebanon, he was convicted there. The court confiscated 7,000 Deutsch marks and sentenced him to three years in jail in Beirut.
He was freed in 1999 and came to Sweden in 2001, where he lived at various addresses in Örebro. In 2006 he changed his name to "Rodi". His lawyer, Olof Swedjemark, says he's very surprised to be arrested, since he's already been convicted of the robbery in Beirut despite that he denied any guilt, and was in jail for three years before he came to Sweden. Ibrahim has a wife and three small children and has established himself well in Sweden, says his lawyer.
Head prosecutor Ulf Forsberg says that the Germans don't think three years is enough. Additionally, a large sum of the money is still missing. He can apparently be tried again in German court.
The court will decide on the German extradition request within the next month. Since the man is a Swedish citizen, he can request to serve out his (possible) sentence in Sweden, and that needs to be guaranteed by Germany. He can also appeal, should it be decided to extradite him.
Sources: The Local 1, 2; (English); Aftonbladet 1, 2 ,3 (Swedish); Berliner Kurier (German), h/t I Mitts Sverige (Swedish)
1 comment:
The "Swede" can be found here, in a Swedish blog "I Mitt Sverige".
It is supposed to be this man, Rodi Chafic Ibrahim living in a small town, Degerfors in mid-Sweden. Born Aug 30, 1975.
Alis/Rodis brother is described as Lebanese and his name is "Dergham Ibrahim". Thus, it is very unlikely that Mr Ali/Rodi is a "Swede".
It appears that Mr Ali/Rodi has generously been granted a Swedish citizenship (it is very easy to become a Swedish citizen and get a Swedish passport nowdays).
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