Prominent attorneys disagree with Sir Ellis on the non-extradition of Galbaransingh and Ferguson
Thursday 29th July, 2010
 
This morning, before the judgement was given, two prominent local attorneys disagreed with the opinions of two British lawyers and Sir Ellis Clarke that Ish Galbaransingh and Steve Ferguson should not be extradited to the united states to face criminal charges.

Attorneys Dana Seethahal and Israel Khan say the legal opinions may have been hampered because the lawyers may not have had all the facts.

The attorneys say the central question is whether the accused will get a fair trial in the U.S.? That's the question the prominent attorneys are asking. Speaking on First Up this morning via a telephone interview, Attorney Dana Seethahal says not because the matter for which the two are charged happens to be the local airport that does not debar them from being tried elsewhere.

Ms. Seethahal says the duo is on trial for two separate crimes in two separate countries.

She says the Director of Public Prosecution Jeffery Henderson three years ago discontinued proceedings in Trinidad that constitute the charges in the U.S. She believes instructions may not have been clearly given to the lawyers who were asked to give an opinion.

Another senior attorney, Isreal Khan says he agrees with the Ms. Seethahal. He believes the duo will receive a fair trial in the U.S. He gave the example of former soldier, and American citizen Balo Maharaj who was murdered in Trinidad and the Trinidadian men accused of that murder were extradited to the U.S.

He says if the duo is charged here, the case may become tangled in the justice system, whereas the U.S. may serve swifter justice.

Mr. Israel says he doesn't believe Attorney General Anand Ramlogan is solely seeking opinions that would allow the two to stay in the country.