Israel transfers killer to Moscow

An Israeli citizen suspected of killing a married couple has been transferred to Moscow, the Russian Bureau told Itar-Tass on Friday.

The crime was perpetrated in the Russian Belgorod region in 2001. "The suspect was put on the Interpol wanted list in September 2003 and traced in occupied Palestine territories later in the same month," the bureau said.

The suspect is a citizen of Israel, which usually turns down extradition requests.

"Thus, this transfer is a positive result of Russia-Israeli cooperation in the suppression of crimes," the bureau said.

"The main factor was that Levin [the suspect] concealed his past from Israeli authorities and was naturalized when the crime had been already committed."

That was the 14th transfer of suspects to Russia in 2008. "About 90 internationally wanted suspects were exposed and taken under arrest in 2007. Their transfer to Russia is under consideration. This is the record number for the past five years," the bureau said.