Peru Extradites ex-judge Dan Cohen To Israel

Dan Cohen, a former Israeli judge, who escaped to South America following suspicions of bribery, is headed back to Israel, Peruvian media reported Saturday.

The Justice Ministry later confirmed the report stating that Peru had granted the State's request of extradition. In Israel, Cohen faces charges of bribery, fraud, breach of trust, obstruction of justice, and failure to report earnings under the Securities and Exchange Commission law.

The ministry further stated that Cohen has boarded a plane to Israel and will be arrested upon landing.

Earlier this month, it was reported that the State Prosecutor's Office had reached a deal with Cohen more than six months ago whereby he will admit to accepting bribes, will return the money and be jailed for four years.

Cohen fled to Peru in 2005 after it became obvious he could be charged with bribery in Israel. He had previously served as a member of the finance committee in the Israel Electric Corp's board of directors.

He was later accused of accepting millions of shekels in bribe money from Siemens in exchange for advancing a deal for the purchase of gas turbines.

An indictment filed against him in 2009 charged him with other criminal activity in his relations with other companies.