Iran had demanded extradition of Sydney gunman: Police chief

Iran had demanded extradition of Sydney gunman: Police chief
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2014/12/17/390605/iran-had-demanded-extradition-of-monis/
Wed Dec 17, 2014 6:26AM GMT

Iran's Police Chief Brigadier General Ismail Ahmadi-Moqaddam

Tehran had asked Canberra to extradite the Iranian national behind the recent deadly hostage-taking incident in the Australian city of Sydney, says Iran’s police chief.

In the year 2000, in a coordinated effort with Iran's Judiciary and Interpol, we requested Australia to extradite Man Haron Monis, also known as Mohammad Hassan Manteqi, said Brigadier General Ismail Ahmadi Moqaddam on Tuesday.

After Iran’s request for the extradition of Monis, the Australian government refused to hand him over to Tehran because the two countries had not signed an extradition treaty, the police chief added.

Monis was wanted in Iran on fraud charges in 1996.

“The individual was the manager of a travel agency in 1996. He then committed fraud and fled to Malaysia and from there to Australia under a fake name," Ahmadi Moqaddam added.

The reason why Monis escaped was that he had committed fraud, the police chief said, adding that he, however, applied for political asylum to obtain refugee status in Australia.

The hostage-taking incident took place at a café in Sydney in Australian on December 15.

Australian security forces raided the Lindt Café in Sydney’s central business district on Monday, ending the siege that lasted for more than 16 hours.

According to police sources, the gunman and two hostages were killed during the operation.

IA/NN/HRB