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Islamic Human Rights Commission
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18 March 2008
Alert Update: Slovakia – Court Decides to Suspend Extradition of Mustapha Labsi to Algeria
1. Background
Slovakia’s Constitutional Court decided to suspend extradition of Mustapha Labsi to Algeria on 13 March 2008. Labsi is wanted in his homeland on allegations of torture. Labsi’s attorney, Maria Kolikava, welcomed the decision, stating that ‘The Constitutional Court has proven to be an effective tool in the protection of human rights…’
Earlier in the year the Slovak Supreme Court had ruled to extradite Labsi to Algeria. He, however, appealed against the ruling, stating in an extensive complaint that he submitted to the court, that ‘…possible extradition poses a serious risk for him, as he may well be tortured during criminal proceedings in Algeria.’
Labsi was suspected to be involved with Al-Qaeda and was reportedly arrested by Slovak police on 4 May 2007 on the request of the Algerian government. He was ‘tried in absentia in Algeria and sentenced to life imprisonment on charges related to terrorism’, according to reports received by Amnesty International. Thus, since his arrest he has been detained in Bratislava, awaiting the court’s decision on his possible extradition.
For more details, please read article at https://www.ihrc.org.uk/show.php?id=3249
Please also refer to our previous alert at https://www.ihrc.org.uk/show.php?id=3181
IHRC welcomes this decision of suspending the extradition of Mustapha Labsi and congratulates and thanks all supporters who campaigned on his behalf.
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Holy Qur’an: Chapter 4, Verse 75
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