Dutch court clears extradition of Amanda Todd's alleged cyber extortionist

The Dutch Supreme Court has approved the extradition to Canada of a convicted cyber blackmailer who faces charges in the case of B.C. teen Amanda Todd,who killed herself after allegedly being extorted online.

Because of several factors, however, it remains unclear when 38-year-old Aydin Coban could be sent to Canada following Tuesday's ruling.

First, his extradition must be approved by the Dutch security and justice minister.

In addition, Coban was convicted last month by a Dutch court and sentenced to nearly 11 years in prison for online fraud and blackmail of 34 other young women and men.

• The Fifth Estate | The Sextortion of Amanda Todd
• The Fifth Estate | Stalking Amanda Todd: Man in the shadows
• Aydin Coban writes open letter proclaiming innocence

When asked whether the extradition would come before or after Coban serves his Dutch sentence, prosecution spokesman Wim de Bruin said, "That has not been decided yet."

Furthermore, after Coban's conviction last month, hislawyer, Robert Malewicz,said he planned to appeal the verdict, which could mean anew trial. Malewicz did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment today.

Facescharges in Canada

In Canada, Coban faces a separate trial in the cyber extortion of Amanda, whose story drew global attention to online abuse.

In October 2012, Amanda, who was 15 at the time, took her life after posting a video on YouTube saying she had been blackmailed by someone online.

The RCMP charged Cobanin 2014in relation to the Todd case. The five charges includepossession of child pornography,extortion, internet luring, criminal harassment and distribution of child pornography.