Jamaica refuses to extradite criminal to U.S.

Jamaica has refused a request from the Government of the United States to extradite a known criminal.

And Prime Minister Bruce Golding says he is prepared to pay "a heavy political price at the hands of the electorate" rather than to violate the Jamaican constitution.

The United States is asking Jamaican authorities to extradite Christopher “Dudus” Coke, a known supporter of governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP). Coke is wanted on narcotics charges. The U.S. has been highly critical of Jamaica for dragging its feet on the extradition.

Golding has refused the request despite strong evidence against Coke, saying the U.S. must respect the legal rights of Jamaican citizens.

"I am not defending the wrongdoing of any person, but I will say this, if I have to pay a political price for this I will uphold a position that constitutional rights do not begin a Liguanea," Golden told Parliament. The U.S. embassy in Jamaica is located in Liguanea.

Golding said Attorney General and Justice Minister Dorothy Lightbourne decided against signing the request because the U.S. illegally obtained the evidence outlined in the extradition request.

He said the Government has not made any detailed public statement in relation about the matter because of confidentiality and that position was reaffirmed in the several meetings between Jamaica and the United States.

But he explained that when the U.S. made the issue public in its Narcotics Control Strategy Report, he felt obliged to speak.

He said the report accused his government of "unfounded allegations" and questioned U.S. compliance with the neutral Legal Assistance Treaty and the Jamaican law.

Golding also said the AG has a duty to make sure that any extradition proceeding conforms to the provisions of Jamaican law.

“As minister, and, especially as attorney general, she cannot authorise processes which she knows to be in violation of Jamaican law,” said Golding.

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