Albanian Drug Trafficker Deemed Unsuitable for UK Prisons

A German court has declined to extradite an Albanian individual accused of cocaine trafficking to the United Kingdom due to apprehensions about the conditions in British prisons.

 

This individual, who had previously resided in the UK, stands accused of trafficking approximately 5 kilograms of cocaine and engaging in money laundering activities totaling around £330,000.

 

ée. However, in a remarkable turn of events for Germany, the Karlsruhe Higher Regional Court in the southwestern part of the country has ruled that the extradition of the Albanian suspect to the UK is "currently inadmissible." This decision is primarily based on the absence of assurances from the UK regarding the state of its prison system, rendering extradition legally untenable. Importantly, the court emphasized that no legal recourse is available against this ruling.

 

The suspect had been in custody during the extradition process after being apprehended by German law enforcement. In court, he was represented by attorney Jan-Carl Janssen, who possessed a unique background, having studied in Glasgow and authored a thesis that delved into the conditions prevailing in UK prisons. Drawing from his research, Mr. Janssen highlighted persistent issues such as chronic overcrowding, understaffing problems, and incidents of violence within British correctional facilities.

 

The court underscored the necessity for guarantees from the UK government, specifically demanding compliance with minimum standards aligned with the European Convention on Human Rights. Furthermore, the court requested detailed information from British authorities regarding the specific prisons where the Albanian suspect would be detained, along with comprehensive insights into the conditions of his detention within those facilities.

 

The Johnson Partnership

Nottingham Solicitors

 

01159 419141