New Delhi: A Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) official is leaving for Lisbon on December 13 to file an extradition request for underworld don Abu Salem with the Portugese authorities.

"Our officer is leaving for Lisbon today with a formal extradition request for Salem," CBI director P C Sharma told reporters.

Sharma said India has assured Portugal that Salem, who is wanted in connection with the 1993 serial blasts in Mumbai and other cases, would not be awarded death penalty.

Salem is in Portugese custody for staying in Lisbon on forged documents.

PTI