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Jonathan Taylor: Monaco appeal over oil whistleblower case dismissed | Jonathan Taylor: Monaco appeal over oil whistleblower case dismissed |
(4 months later) | |
Lawyer Jonathan Taylor spent a year stuck in Croatia fighting extradition to Monaco | Lawyer Jonathan Taylor spent a year stuck in Croatia fighting extradition to Monaco |
A court has dismissed an appeal against the decision to clear an oil industry whistleblower who spent more than two years fighting extradition to Monaco. | A court has dismissed an appeal against the decision to clear an oil industry whistleblower who spent more than two years fighting extradition to Monaco. |
Jonathan Taylor was arrested in Dubrovnik in July 2020 on an Interpol red licence, issued by Monaco, on bribery and corruption charges. | Jonathan Taylor was arrested in Dubrovnik in July 2020 on an Interpol red licence, issued by Monaco, on bribery and corruption charges. |
He had previously exposed bribery at his old employer, Dutch oil firm SBM Offshore. | He had previously exposed bribery at his old employer, Dutch oil firm SBM Offshore. |
Mr Taylor said the latest ruling had "given me back control of my life". | Mr Taylor said the latest ruling had "given me back control of my life". |
Monaco hosts an SBM Offshore regional centre | Monaco hosts an SBM Offshore regional centre |
In 2012, Mr Taylor provided evidence about bribes being offered in return for lucrative contracts at SBM Offshore, which has a regional centre in Monaco. | In 2012, Mr Taylor provided evidence about bribes being offered in return for lucrative contracts at SBM Offshore, which has a regional centre in Monaco. |
He spent a year stuck in Croatia after he was arrested on arrival with his family for a holiday in 2020. | He spent a year stuck in Croatia after he was arrested on arrival with his family for a holiday in 2020. |
The Monaco authorities were seeking to extradite him for questioning about claims he demanded money to keep quiet. | The Monaco authorities were seeking to extradite him for questioning about claims he demanded money to keep quiet. |
Mr Taylor, who has not been charged with any offences, has always denied the claims. | Mr Taylor, who has not been charged with any offences, has always denied the claims. |
The extradition request was overturned in May 2021 by the Croatian justice minister and Mr Taylor was able to return home to Southampton. | The extradition request was overturned in May 2021 by the Croatian justice minister and Mr Taylor was able to return home to Southampton. |
But in October last year, the authorities in Monaco issued a summons demanding he appear before investigating judge Ludovic Leclerc at the Palais de Justice. | But in October last year, the authorities in Monaco issued a summons demanding he appear before investigating judge Ludovic Leclerc at the Palais de Justice. |
'This hell is over' | 'This hell is over' |
Mr Taylor, a lawyer, agreed to return for the questioning in a bid to bring "this nonsense to an end". | Mr Taylor, a lawyer, agreed to return for the questioning in a bid to bring "this nonsense to an end". |
He said at the time: "It is now seven years since my former employer, SBM Offshore, reported me to the Monaco prosecutor for alleged attempted extortion." | He said at the time: "It is now seven years since my former employer, SBM Offshore, reported me to the Monaco prosecutor for alleged attempted extortion." |
The complaint was subsequently withdrawn by the firm "years ago", he added. | The complaint was subsequently withdrawn by the firm "years ago", he added. |
The firm has previously said it had not influenced the extradition request. | The firm has previously said it had not influenced the extradition request. |
Mr Leclerc dismissed the case against Mr Taylor in March this year, but Monaco's public prosecutor launched an appeal against the judge's ruling. | Mr Leclerc dismissed the case against Mr Taylor in March this year, but Monaco's public prosecutor launched an appeal against the judge's ruling. |
The decision by Monaco's Appeal Court to reject the appeal this month means "finally, this hell is over for me", Mr Taylor told the BBC. | The decision by Monaco's Appeal Court to reject the appeal this month means "finally, this hell is over for me", Mr Taylor told the BBC. |
He said: "While this welcome news will not bring me back my career or the year I lost under house arrest in Croatia, it does give me back control of my life." | He said: "While this welcome news will not bring me back my career or the year I lost under house arrest in Croatia, it does give me back control of my life." |
Follow BBC South on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to south.newsonline@bbc.co.uk. | Follow BBC South on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to south.newsonline@bbc.co.uk. |
Related Topics | |
Southampton | |
Monaco | |
Croatia | |
Oil & Gas industry |
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