The Latvian prosecutor-general's office said almost all necessary documents for the extradition request had been prepared. Australian Justice Minister Amanda Vanstone's office said Latvian authorities had contacted the department last week and indicated something would be sent to Australia this week.
Some requests can be dealt with quickly, some take years.
With extradition arrangements put in place last July, it was now in the hands of Latvian officials to get the ball rolling, he said. If Latvia approached Australia with a warrant seeking Mr Kalejs' delivery, Federal Police would detain him and take him to court for consideration of bail and a full hearing of the extradition request. If Mr Kalejs opposed extradition, the case could get complicated, be taken to the High Court and take years to settle, the spokesman said. Mr Kalejs arrived in Australia last year after Nazi hunters traced him to a retirement home in Britain. The Age Company Ltd 2000.