The fate of business men Steve Ferguson and Iswar Galbaransingh now lies in the hands of Attorney General Anand Ramlogan who must now decide whether they should be extradited to Florida to face charges.On Thursday both men lost a constitutional motion challenging the legality of an extradition request from the United States.
Justice Vasheist Kokaram discharged a conservatory order issued on June 16 that had prevented Ramlogan from authorising the extraditions, clearing the way for Ramlogan to act if he decides to do so.
However, there is a possibility that if Ramlogan goes ahead with approving the extradition the Galbaransingh and Ferguson might appeal.
In his ruling Thursday Kokaram: "There is no right guaranteed by the Constitution not to be extradited and the ability to extradite a fugitive is a long recognised feature of international law and integral to the international criminal process. This country cannot be a safe haven for criminal activity."
Kokaram said the men are "simply being surrendered to face a criminal process in a foreign state, which is the subject of treaty obligations with this state and which process must be exercised in good faith."
Galbaransingh and Ferguson are have been indicted in Florida on fraud charges relating to the construction of the Piarco International Airport. They are currently at the Maximum Security Prison in Arouca.
No comments:
Post a Comment