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NICOSIA, Cyprus – After eluding a dragnet extending from airports to yacht marinas, the suspected paymaster for a Russian spy ring nabbed in America has likely fled this Mediterranean resort island, the Cypriot justice minister said on Friday.
Loucas Louca told the Associated Press in an interview that he thinks Christopher Metsos — who disappeared after being released on bail this week — will probably never be apprehended on the island because he is no longer here.
"I believe he's not in Cyprus, that's my belief," he said.
Metsos, 54, is wanted in the United States on charges that he supplied money to a spy ring that allegedly operated under deep cover in America's suburbs. He disappeared Wednesday after being granted bail.
Louca said Metsos was arrested Tuesday after Interpol, the international police agency, issued a notice requesting his arrest. He was trying to board a flight to Budapest, Hungary, with his girlfriend at the time, he said.
The woman was allowed to board the flight since there was no Interpol notice regarding her, Louca said.
Metsos arrived in Cyprus on June 17, traveling as a tourist on a Canadian passport, which a man in Canada has said stole the identity of his dead brother. Louca said Metsos had been with his girlfriend during his stay on the island, but could not say whether the couple had arrived together.
Loucas Louca told the Associated Press in an interview that he thinks Christopher Metsos — who disappeared after being released on bail this week — will probably never be apprehended on the island because he is no longer here.
"I believe he's not in Cyprus, that's my belief," he said.
Metsos, 54, is wanted in the United States on charges that he supplied money to a spy ring that allegedly operated under deep cover in America's suburbs. He disappeared Wednesday after being granted bail.
Louca said Metsos was arrested Tuesday after Interpol, the international police agency, issued a notice requesting his arrest. He was trying to board a flight to Budapest, Hungary, with his girlfriend at the time, he said.
The woman was allowed to board the flight since there was no Interpol notice regarding her, Louca said.
Metsos arrived in Cyprus on June 17, traveling as a tourist on a Canadian passport, which a man in Canada has said stole the identity of his dead brother. Louca said Metsos had been with his girlfriend during his stay on the island, but could not say whether the couple had arrived together.