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Left to right) St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force Commander, Lt. Colonel Patrick Wallace; Minister of National Security and Justice, Hon. Dwyer Astaphan; Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affiars, Hon. Delano Bart; St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister, Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris and Commissioner of Police, Mr. Robert Jeffers at the Press Conference on Friday. |
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, MARCH 3rd 2006 - The decision to extradite two men, Noel Heath and Glenroy Matthew wanted in the United States on drug trafficking charges on Thursday was in compliance with the order of the Court.
The Privy Council in the United Kingdom ordered the extradition of Heath and Matthew to the United States of America to stand trial for alleged criminal offences, namely conspiracies to import cocaine into the USA and other related matters.
Heath and Matthew were handed over on Thursday evening to officials of the United States Drug Enforcement Agency in accordance with the ruling of the Hon. Brian Alleyne, Chief Justice (Acting) of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court.
In a statement to the Nation on Friday, Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas pointed out that in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, extradition of a national is provided for by the Extradition Act, Chapter 105 of the Laws of St. Christopher and Nevis. This law adopted and incorporated the provisions of the Extradition Acts of the United Kingdom of 1870 and 1873, as amended.
"Extradition arrangements have also been supplemented by a treaty between the Federation and the United States, originally concluded in 1972 and a later treaty with the US that was incorporated into law by Act No. 27 of 2001," said Dr. Douglas, who further stated that most countries have extradition arrangements with other countries "because it is a central aspect of the conduct of national security and foreign relations; it makes for good governance and seeks to reduce the level of international crime, which has implications for the social stability of St. Kitts and Nevis."
"Our form of Government in the Federation is based upon the doctrine of the separation of powers, to wit, the Legislative, Executive and Judicial branches and the constitutional doctrine has led to the Independence of our courts. This factor is of supreme importance to ensure fairness and equality in the dispensation of our laws," said the Prime Minister.
He said that a judicial system, which becomes the tool of politicians or any other group in society, would seriously threaten the fabric of the society. "Thus, a cornerstone of our constitutional practice is that the interpretation of the law must be left to the courts, and that is what we have done in this case," said the Prime Minister, who further pointed out that the case involving Heath and Matthew was heard at every level of "our judicial structure, right up to the Privy Council, which is our highest and final court."
"This court ruled that these two nationals should be extradited to answer the charges that have been laid against them in the United States. A final review of certain issues not related to the interpretation of the law raised on behalf of Mr. Heath and Mr. Matthew by their lawyer, was conducted by the relevant ministry and this government made a decision to obey the order of the court," said Prime Minister Douglas in the statement carried live on several radio stations and ZIZ Broadcasting Corporation.
