Joran van der Sloot, the Dutch citizen imprisoned for the murder of Stephany Flores and connected to the 2005 disappearance of Natalee Holloway, may cause delays in his extradition to the U.S., according to a high-ranking law enforcement official.
Van der Sloot’s unruly behavior in a Peruvian prison and the need to temporarily send him to the U.S. before witnesses age have contributed to the potential delay. The extradition timeline depends on transportation arrangements, a commitment from the U.S. government to return him to complete his sentence in Peru, and possible legal hurdles.
Van der Sloot’s defense lawyer expects the extradition to proceed, but it could be paralyzed temporarily due to legal maneuvers. The U.S. has a 30-day window to agree to Peru’s terms, and once an agreement is reached, the extradition process could take between a day and a week, potentially happening in July or August.
Van der Sloot, who faces charges of extortion and wire fraud, will be either flown to Alabama or escorted by U.S. marshals. He is currently held in the Challapalca prison in Peru, known for its remote location and harsh conditions. Regardless of the outcome, Van der Sloot faces a lengthy prison sentence, with his Peru sentence running through 2038 and the possibility of additional 40 years in the U.S. Although he hasn’t been charged in Holloway’s disappearance, he has been the prime suspect since the case’s early stages.
