Back in jail. Ben-Ivgi (archive photo)
Photo: Zoom 77
Derek Roth (archive photo)
Argentina renews extradition process of Israeli murderer
Moshe Ben-Ivgi, convicted at age 15 of brutally murdering taxi driver, arrested again after Israeli appeal succeeds in convincing Argentinean Supreme Court to renew once-failed extradition process of runaway felon
Moshe Ben-Ivgi, who in 1994, along with his friend Arbel Aloni murdered taxi driver Derek Roth in Herzliya was arrested in Argentina once again on Thursday. Last week Argentina's Supreme Court rejected Israel's extradition appeal and released Ben-Ivgi from police custody but now the heavily contested ruling may be overturned and the extradition request will be re-considered by the court.
The renewal of the extradition process is credited to an appeal by the Argentinean state prosecution based on extensive documented evidence provided by Israeli state prosecutors from the International Affairs Department.
Israel's police attaché to South America relayed news of the arrest to the Israeli prosecution.
Ben-Ivgi fled Israel while on furlough from prison in 2005. At the age of 15 he was sentenced to 16 years in prison for Roth's brutal murder but that original sentence was extended by five years after Ben-Ivgi and Aloni robbed two convenience stores during one of their furloughs.
In early February it became increasingly clear that Ben-Ivgi would be released by Argentina, which Israel does not have an extradition agreement with.
Roth’s family was outraged at the decision. "The murderer is being rewarded for escaping," daughter Sharon said at the time.
Upon hearing that he was to be released Ben-Ivgi's mother, Shuli, told Ynet excitedly: "I'm thrilled. It was a surprise for me, a telephone call at six am, and not from my son, I don't know much more."
