Portugal revokes extradition of Indian underworld don

Portugal revokes extradition of Indian underworld don

Portugal has revoked extradition of an Indian underworld don, accusing Indian probe agencies of violating the conditions for the extradition, reported local daily Indian Express Wednesday.

The Portugal High Court has ordered revocation of the extradition of underworld don Abu Salem, who was permitted to be taken to India in November 2005 to face trial in eight cases, including the 1993 Mumbai blasts.

The newspaper quoted sources in the government as saying India will challenge the order in the Portuguese Supreme Court.

At the time of Salem's extradition six years ago, India had given an assurance to Portugal that he would not be given death penalty or charged with any section of law which entails jail for more than 25 years.

In its operative order the Portugal High Court stated, "The Indian Union while accusing and judging Abu Salem Qayum Ansari has violated the principle of specialty as it is understood in the Portuguese legal system reason. For which we consider these acts as illegal and decide to terminate authorization of grant of extradition of Abu Salem Qayum Ansari."

The order came after Salem's lawyer moved the Portuguese court to challenge a designated special court's decision to frame additional charges against Salem for his involvement in the 1993 Mumbai blasts, in addition to the other grave charges for which he was extradited to face trial in India.

Editor: Chen Zhi

English.news.cn   2011-09-28 14:22:25 FeedbackPrintRSS
NEW DELHI, Sept. 28 (Xinhua)