Filenews 19 April 2023 - by Fanis Markides
The case of Israeli-American professor Gal Luft evolved into an action movie story. The latter was detained by Cypriot authorities on 16 February.
However, the 56-year-old who took on the family of US President Joe Biden and is wanted by US law enforcement is now on the run. He had been released by the Larnaca District Court with restrictive conditions, however, he violated them. At this time, it is not known exactly where he is.
In fact, the Cyprus Police has proceeded with the necessary procedures and a European and international arrest warrant has been issued against him. This was confirmed to "F" by the spokesman of the Larnaka police department, Haris Hadjigiasemis.
The 56-year-old was arrested (16/2) at Larnaka airport, on the basis of a red notice issued by the US Federal Police (FBI). He was ready to travel to Tel Aviv. He was wanted for alleged arms exports to Libya and China between 2015 and 2023.
At the request of his lawyer at the Larnaca District Court, which would decide whether or not to extradite him to the US, it was decided to release him under strict conditions. He was set to pay €150,000 as collateral, to guarantee a creditworthy guarantor for another €250,000 and to report to the central police station of Pafos (he resided in that district) at regular intervals.
Luft managed to fulfil the conditions and was released. However, on March 28 he did not show up at the police station to sign as he was due. On the same day, his Greek Cypriot lawyer had declared Luft missing at the Pafos ICF, while expressing concern for his client's life.
The next day, following a police investigation, the vehicle Luft was using in Cyprus to move was located. It was abandoned in an area of Dromolaxia. "F" reports that the Police are even considering the scenario that he has left the areas controlled by the Republic of Cyprus, through Pyla.
It should be noted that since Luft did not appear at a hearing set by the Larnaka District Court on April 3rd, the €150,000 he had paid, as well as the assets worth €250,000 of the creditworthy guarantor, were frozen.
Before he disappeared, Luft had fired at the family of US President Joe Biden through his US lawyer, Robert Enoch. The latter claimed that his client was being politically persecuted for attempting four years ago to complain to the U.S. Department of Justice that China's government-controlled company, CEFC, had financial dealings with the U.S. president's son, Hunter, and Joe Biden's brother, Jim. Both, according to the complaint, received $100,000 and $65,000 per month, respectively. The Chinese energy business entity had allegedly given the money in exchange for Hunter and Jim giving it information from the FBI, to which they had connections. The allegations were covered by well-known and traditional U.S. media outlets such as FOX News and the New York Post.
Gal Luft, 56, headed the Washington-based Institute for International Security Analysis and was an adviser to the U.S. Energy Security Council. He served in the Israeli army, from where he retired with the rank of lieutenant colonel.
