This 2012 photo provided by Juozas Valiušaitis shows Neringa Venckiene in Lithuania. Venckiene, a former Lithuanian judge and parliamentarian jailed in Chicago at her homeland's request fears death if she's extradited because she helped expose a network of influential pedophiles in the country. Unless the Trump administration intervenes, 47-year-old Neringa Venckiene could be sent back home within weeks. "I never want to go back to Lithuania," she told the AP by phone from jail, adding that she'd embrace becoming a U.S. citizen. (photo courtesy Juozas Valiušaitis via AP)
Republished May 10, 2018 - 1:10 PM
Original Publication Date May 10, 2018 - 6:21 AM
CHICAGO - A federal judge has given a former Lithuanian parliamentarian and recent suburban Chicago florist a month reprieve from her looming extradition.
Judge Virginia Kendall didn't rule Thursday on Neringa Venckiene's (vehn-KEY'-ehn-nayz) request for a yearlong stay so she can complete her political asylum application.
Kendall set another hearing for June 14.
The 47-year-old Venckiene's bid to avoid extradition is a long shot. The State Department has final say and has approved her extradition.
A prosecutor said Thursday that authorities could legally extradite Venckiene immediately. But he assured Kendall that won't happen before the June hearing.
Venckiene, who is jailed in Chicago, fled to the U.S. in 2013. The charges against her include disobeying a court and arise from her claims about an influential pedophile ring in Lithuania.
She says she fears for her life if she is extradited.
News from © The Associated Press, 2018