Lebanon's request to extradite banker turned down

Rio de Janeiro: Brazil's Supreme Court denied Lebanon's request to extradite fugitive banker Rana Koleilat, accused of a multimillion dollar bank fraud and wanted for questioning in the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri.

Victor Mauad, Rana's lawyer, said on Friday that his client is waiting for her passport to be returned and that she had been given eight days to leave the country once it is.

"She doesn't know where she will go yet, probably some country in Europe," Mauad said in a telephone interview, adding his client has both British and Lebanese citizenship. "She's looking for a safe place. She's worried for her life."

A statement posted on the court's website said the unanimous decision was based on the lack of an extradition treaty between Brazil and Lebanon.

There was no one at the court on Friday to comment because of a national holiday. Rana was arrested in Sao Paulo in 2006 for allegedly trying to bribe police officers.