Treaty Could Allow Joran Van Der Sloot To Return To Holland

(CNN) — An extradition treaty signed this week between the Netherlands and Peru could open the door for Joran Van der Sloot to return to his native country if convicted in the death of a 21-year-old Peruvian woman.

A spokesman with Peru’s foreign ministry, Gonzalo Portals Zubiate, said Friday that the treaty — which allows some Dutch nationals sentenced to time in Peru to serve their sentences in Europe, with the inverse for Peruvians convicted in Holland — has nothing to do with Van der Sloot, specifically. Still, the suspect’s attorney acknowledged it could affect him.

“Joran knows about the treaty,” said Maximo Altez, the lawyer who is representing Van der Sloot in Peru. “Whether he requests an extradition will depend on his sentence.”

Van der Sloot is being held at Miguel Castro Castro prison in Lima on charges of first-degree murder and robbery in the death of 21-year-old Stephany Flores. Authorities found Flores’ body in June in a Lima hotel room registered to Van der Sloot.

Van der Sloot is perhaps best known as the prime suspect in the disappearance of American teen Natalee Holloway. He was arrested twice in connection with the case, but was not charged.

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