Letter: Political reality

It is disingenuous to suggest that the AG’s decision on extradition should not be affected by political considerations. Government is the child of politics.

And to suggest that we somehow diminish our sovereignty by extraditing is parochial. We in fact magnify it since we have equal reciprocal rights by such treaties. Why did we enter such agreements in the first place if not to contain crime?

Many of our present laws now require international co-operation particularly since drug trafficking and money laundering have blossomed.

Also the suggestion that the domain of greater offence should be where the culprits are tried requires a determination before any trial has taken place and innocence is the presumption. Is there a case of lesser presumption?

And unless I am mistaken, the local charges have already been dropped, making any reinstatement an abuse of process. Not to extradite is to set the accused free.

Let the AG act with speed on this lingering matter and leave it to the US Justice system to differ with its Judge. Human rights play their part there also.

Alleged bias by a Judge cannot be flagrant without consequence. And to argue bias is to deny its local existence. We have had travesties of justice here and largely in favour of accused.

Unless the government wishes to be charged with favouritism in favour of its financiers, it must extradite without favour.

MFRahman.