Motiwala appeals at London High Court against US extradition

LONDON: Karachi’s businessman Jabir Siddiq Motiwala has lodged an appeal at London High Court against the Westminster Magistrates’ Court verdict ordering his extradition to the United States of America to face charges of alleged extortion, blackmailing, and import of A class drugs — charges Motiwala has strongly denied in court defence.

This correspondent has learnt from official sources that the businessman has challenged the decision of District Judge John Zani of the Westminster Magistrates’ Court who had rejected extradition challenges of Motiwala and referred the extradition case to the Secretary of the State declaring that Jabir Motiwala’s extradition to America to face criminal prosecution complies with his Convention Rights within the meaning of the Human Rights Act 1998.

Judge Zani had ordered Motiwala’s extradition on February 6, 2020 after a lengthy trial.Appeal at the London High Court’s Queen’s Bench Division has been lodged by Counsel Edgward Fitzgerlad QC, Daniel Sternberg and solicitors Deepak Vij and Amirah Ajaz of ABV Solicitors. Jabir Siddiq is sought for extradition by the US government, alleging that together with others, Motiwala was involved in a conspiracy to launder money, to collect credit extensions by extortionate means and to import narcotics to USA. The maximum sentence on conviction in USA is 20-year imprisonment for money-laundering; 20 years for extortion and life imprisonment for drugs import and the same carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years imprisonment.

Jabir Motiwala is on remand at the crowded Wandsworth prison where there is a Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak. Lawyers of several prisoners at the same prison have asked the government to release the inmates to save themselves from the deadly corona virus.

Jabir Motiwala was arrested in London in August 2018 during a raid at Hilton Hotel on Edgware Road. Jabir Motiwala denies all charges against him and said he has never done anything wrong.

During the last hearing around three months ago, Judge Zani had asked the United States authorities to come clean on whether an “enhanced terror charge” or “terrorism enhancement” will be added on Karachi businessman Jabir Motiwala if he were to be extradited to the US.

Defence Counsel Edward Fitzgerald QC had told the Westminster Magistrates’ Court that Motiwala should not be extradited to the US because his human rights under Article 3 will be breached. He had told the court that prison conditions in the US are inhumane and degrading, rendering Motiwala’s life in danger.