Peru Court Approves Joran van der Sloot's U.S. Extradition, But After He Serves Prison Sentence

Peru's Supreme Court has approved the United States extradition request for Joran van der Sloot, the man suspected in Natalee Holloway's disappearance,. but the Dutchman must first serve out his 28-year prison sentence, according to the Associated Press.

Van der Sloot's lawyer Maximo Altez said the court arrived at the decision Friday but that it must be endorsed by the nation's justice minister and Cabinet.

The 24-year-old confessed killer is serving time in Peru for killing Stephany Flores in 2010. She was a woman he met at a Lima casino.

The U.S. wants van der Sloot back into the country because he is facing extortion charges in Alabama. He allegedly got $25,000 from Holloway's mother in exchange for information about finding her daughter's remains. Those promises weren't fulfilled.

Holloway disappeared in Aruba in 2005 wh ile on a school trip. She was declared dead earlier this year. Her remains were never found and van der Sloot has never been charged in her disappearance.

Van der Sloot had indicated to a Peruvian judge that he wanted to remain in the country and not face extradition to the U.S. Last month, Altez said his client would like be extradited regardless of his preference to remain in the South American country.