A prominent opposition leader in Antigua and Barbuda has criticized the government for requesting the surrender of the fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi, who was detained in Dominica on May 26, directly to India.
Choksi, who is wanted in the Punjab National Bank fraud of 13,500 rupees and who has been missing in Antigua and Barbuda for a few days, was tracked down and arrested in Dominica, an island nation in the Caribbean. Choksi is a citizen of Antigua based on the Post-Investment Citizenship Program.
Harold Lovell, chairman of the United Progressive Party (Antigua and Barbuda) and former cabinet minister, said under Antiguan law that its citizens cannot be extradited to another country.
Lovell said Choksi must be repatriated to Antigua and Barbuda from Dominica, where he is currently being held. “Although we are not on the side of Mehul Choksi, he is a citizen of Antigua and as such has certain rights. There are cases against him and he should be tried on those after which an extradition decision can be made,” said he
Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne had previously said in an interview with India Today TV: “We have asked the Dominican government to arrest him for illegally entering their country, make him a persona non grata and have him deported directly to India . “
Lovell also alleged that Prime Minister Browne had failed to properly extradite Choksi under Antiguan law despite a pending motion from India. He said India’s extradition request was pending.
On Choksi’s allegations that he was kidnappedThe opposition leader said he could not have got on a boat, entered Dominica illegally, and be the only one arrested.
“What about the other people involved, the captain of the ship? Why was no one arrested? While the investigation is still ongoing, it seems to be a cover-up,” he said, without saying who could be involved.
Lovell objected to Prime Minister Browne’s statements that Choksi was protected by law, saying that the Prime Minister says Choksi is a citizen but will have to face the law.
He went on to say that Dominica’s order to send Choksi to India would call into question the program of citizenship through investment as those who acquired citizenship in this way would no longer feel protected.
Lovell also denied the ruling party’s allegations that Choksi was linked to the opposition.
Meanwhile, Choksi’s attorney Vijay Aggarwal has welcomed Lovell’s statement. “My client is a person, not a farmer, who can be put on any square in the game of chess at will or according to anyone’s testimony. My position is confirmed and I am full of gratitude and appreciation when I see the testimony of the United Progressive Party of Antigua Recognizing that Antigua should protect the rights of every citizen. My client, Mr. Mehul Choksi, is a citizen of Antigua and is entitled to all constitutional protection provisions under the Antigua Constitution and to all legal remedies available to him under the law he has even used it successfully, “he said.
Mehul Choksi has been in Antigua and Barbuda since January 2018. He faces two cases in Antigua and Barbuda. One deals with his extradition to India and the other with the revocation of his citizenship.
(With contributions from Arvind Ojha)
Also read: The arrest of Mehul Choksi opens an extradition debate about top refugees
See also: “Mehul Choksi was tortured and kidnapped,” said his lawyer
إرسال تعليق