Peruvian judge affirms extradition to US of chief suspect in Natalee Holloway disappearance

FILE - Joran van der Sloot looks back from his seat after entering the courtroom for the continuation of his murder trial at San Pedro prison in Lima, Peru, Jan. 11, 2012. The Peruvian government said on Monday, June 5, 2023 that Van der Sloot, the main suspect in the unsolved 2005 disappearance of American student Natalee Holloway, will be extradited this week to the United States. (AP Photo/Karel Navarro, File)

LIMA, Peru (AP) — The lawyer for the main suspect in the unsolved 2005 disappearance of American student Natalee Holloway on Monday said his client has changed his mind and plans to challenge his extradition to the United States.

Defense attorney Máximo Altez announced the decision of Dutchman Joran van der Sloot just hours after the Peruvian government confirmed the extradition would take place Thursday. Altez said van der Sloot reversed course following a meeting with Dutch diplomats.

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