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Shrien Dewani's extradition ruling welcomed by murdered bride's family | Shrien Dewani's extradition ruling welcomed by murdered bride's family |
(2 months later) | |
The family of a bride brutally murdered during her honeymoon in South Africa have welcomed a ruling that her husband should be extradited from the UK to face trial over her death. | The family of a bride brutally murdered during her honeymoon in South Africa have welcomed a ruling that her husband should be extradited from the UK to face trial over her death. |
A judge decided British businessman Shrien Dewani ought to be flown back to Cape Town to answer charges that he plotted to have his then new wife, Anni, killed by hitmen. | A judge decided British businessman Shrien Dewani ought to be flown back to Cape Town to answer charges that he plotted to have his then new wife, Anni, killed by hitmen. |
Relatives of Ms Dewani said the ruling was an important step as they try to find out the full truth about what happened to the 28-year-old woman and the national prosecuting authority in South Africa called it an "important milestone". | Relatives of Ms Dewani said the ruling was an important step as they try to find out the full truth about what happened to the 28-year-old woman and the national prosecuting authority in South Africa called it an "important milestone". |
But the extradition will not take place immediately as Shrien Dewani's family intend to appeal, claiming his mental condition makes him too fragile to be able to leave the UK. | But the extradition will not take place immediately as Shrien Dewani's family intend to appeal, claiming his mental condition makes him too fragile to be able to leave the UK. |
It may now fall to the supreme court to consider the case before the home secretary, Theresa May, is finally asked to consider giving her approval. | It may now fall to the supreme court to consider the case before the home secretary, Theresa May, is finally asked to consider giving her approval. |
Family members from both sides had packed Westminster magistrates court, central London, for the latest chapter in a long-running and complex legal fight. | Family members from both sides had packed Westminster magistrates court, central London, for the latest chapter in a long-running and complex legal fight. |
During a four-day hearing earlier this month chief magistrate Howard Riddle heard the South African government argue that Dewani, 33, who has been suffering from severe depression and post-traumatic stress syndrome and has been considered a suicide threat, was recovering. The South Africans accepted that he was not well enough to be put on trial at once but said that he would receive good treatment in a Cape Town psychiatric hospital until he was judged fit. | During a four-day hearing earlier this month chief magistrate Howard Riddle heard the South African government argue that Dewani, 33, who has been suffering from severe depression and post-traumatic stress syndrome and has been considered a suicide threat, was recovering. The South Africans accepted that he was not well enough to be put on trial at once but said that he would receive good treatment in a Cape Town psychiatric hospital until he was judged fit. |
Granting the extradition, Riddle said it could be a "long time" before Dewani would be in a position to plead to the offences but said it was "not impossible" that after a period of treatment in South Africa this could happen. | Granting the extradition, Riddle said it could be a "long time" before Dewani would be in a position to plead to the offences but said it was "not impossible" that after a period of treatment in South Africa this could happen. |
Outside court Ms Dewani's family, who had pictures of her pinned to their clothing and wore pink ribbons, said they were pleased but accepted it was "just one step". | Outside court Ms Dewani's family, who had pictures of her pinned to their clothing and wore pink ribbons, said they were pleased but accepted it was "just one step". |
Her sister, Ami Denborg, said: "For us it is all about Anni, it's all about finding out what happened. We will fight this battle to the end and this battle has just begun. We just want to know what happened to Anni and this is just one step. It's been really hard on the family, we are struggling every day." | Her sister, Ami Denborg, said: "For us it is all about Anni, it's all about finding out what happened. We will fight this battle to the end and this battle has just begun. We just want to know what happened to Anni and this is just one step. It's been really hard on the family, we are struggling every day." |
A spokesman for Shrien Dewani's family said they intended to appeal. "Shrien Dewani remains unfit to be extradited or to face trial. Shrien remains committed to returning to South Africa when his health would permit a full trial and when appropriate protections are in place for his health and safety." | A spokesman for Shrien Dewani's family said they intended to appeal. "Shrien Dewani remains unfit to be extradited or to face trial. Shrien remains committed to returning to South Africa when his health would permit a full trial and when appropriate protections are in place for his health and safety." |
South African prosecutors allege that in November 2010 Dewani arranged the murder of Anni, a crime they claim was carried out by a hired hitman under the guise of a botched carjacking while the couple were being driven through a township. He denies the allegations. | South African prosecutors allege that in November 2010 Dewani arranged the murder of Anni, a crime they claim was carried out by a hired hitman under the guise of a botched carjacking while the couple were being driven through a township. He denies the allegations. |
The national prosecuting authority in South Africa said on Wednesday: "The NPA's view, from the onset, has been that the interests of justice require that he be returned to South Africa to stand trial. Today's judgment reaffirms that view and is therefore an important milestone in achieving this objective." | The national prosecuting authority in South Africa said on Wednesday: "The NPA's view, from the onset, has been that the interests of justice require that he be returned to South Africa to stand trial. Today's judgment reaffirms that view and is therefore an important milestone in achieving this objective." |
Dewani's extradition was first ordered two years ago by Riddle and the home secretary signed the papers. | Dewani's extradition was first ordered two years ago by Riddle and the home secretary signed the papers. |
But his legal team continued to fight against his removal and in March last year the extradition was temporarily halted by two high court judges, who judged it would be "unjust and oppressive" for him to be sent to South Africa because of his mental health. | But his legal team continued to fight against his removal and in March last year the extradition was temporarily halted by two high court judges, who judged it would be "unjust and oppressive" for him to be sent to South Africa because of his mental health. |
In the latest hearing, Hugo Keith QC, for the South African government, said Dewani had shown signs of progress. | In the latest hearing, Hugo Keith QC, for the South African government, said Dewani had shown signs of progress. |
"He will recover in time. There is no question that he won't recover," he said. | "He will recover in time. There is no question that he won't recover," he said. |
Keith accepted that Dewani had an inability to concentrate or to go over events connected to his wife's murder and was not yet fit to stand trial. | Keith accepted that Dewani had an inability to concentrate or to go over events connected to his wife's murder and was not yet fit to stand trial. |
But he suggested the threat of extradition hanging over him was inhibiting his recovery and it might be in his interests to go to South Africa. | But he suggested the threat of extradition hanging over him was inhibiting his recovery and it might be in his interests to go to South Africa. |
It emerged that in Bristol Dewani has been allowed to spend time in a camper-van parked in the hospital grounds. He is also permitted to walk home, accompanied by a member of staff, every day to visit his family. | It emerged that in Bristol Dewani has been allowed to spend time in a camper-van parked in the hospital grounds. He is also permitted to walk home, accompanied by a member of staff, every day to visit his family. |
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