THE DISTRICT COURT FOR VANTAA will today consider extending the detention of Mira Terada, a Russian national who was apprehended in Helsinki Airport last month for drug trafficking and money laundering charges.
The suspect is now known as a 30-year old female of Russian nationality, who was dramatically detained at Helsinki Airport following the issuing of an Interpol warrant for her arrest, which came from the agency’s office in Washington D.C.
Terada has since been held in Helsinki at the request of US authorities, pending an extradition request. The US has been keen to see Terada tried for her alleged role in an international drug trafficking and money laundering ring. She denies any wrongdoing.
Russian news outlets have reported that Terada was travelling from St Petersburg to Spain when the arrest was made. It is also known that the Russian embassy in Finland has been in contact with Finnish authorities over the case.
However, no formal extradition request has yet been made, meaning that the Vantaa court must decide whether to extend the suspect’s detention or to release her. Under current laws, the United States has 45 days after a wanted person’s arrest to submit an extradition request. If no such request is made in this time, the detainee must be released.
A decision from Vantaa court is expected later this afternoon.
Adam Oliver Smith – HT
Image: Lehtikuva
