Crime Solicitors

Shrien Dewani, suspected of arranging the murder of his wife while on honeymoon in South Africa, has lost the latest round of his fight against extradition.

He claims to be suffering from a number of mental health problems including post-traumatic stress disorder and depression, and claims he should not be made to travel to the African nation until he has fully recovered. This latest setback in his fight has come about after three judges in the High Court refused to accept his grounds for appeal and have stated that he should be extradited as planned.

A statement from the Home Office has said that he no longer has any rights of appeal and as a result he would be extradited as planned within 28 days. However, his lawyer has made it clear that he intends to fight on and that there is now more evidence relating to his client’s mental health that should be reviewed and that could change the outcome of his appeal process.

At the present time Shrien Dewani is detained under the Mental Health Act in a hospital. He has always denied that he was involved in the death of wife Anni. The 28 year old was shot while the couple were in a taxi just outside Cape Town back in 2010. In January a panel of judges stated that extradition would not be unreasonable if the government in South Africa could state how long he would kept there if he were unable to face trial due to his illness.

The assurances from the South African government about the welfare of Dewani have now been received, however, this was again challenged by his lawyers, who have also sought permission to have the case passed on to the Supreme Court – the highest court that the UK has – being Dewani’s final opportunity to stop the extradition process.

However, UK judges rejected complaints about the undertaking and they have not given permission for Dewani to take his case to the Supreme Court. There has also been a last-ditch attempt by Dewani’s lawyers to get more time to fight the case against extradition but this has also been rejected and at the present time he is due to be extradited within weeks.

Following the latest decision by the judges, Vinod Hindochi, Anni’s father stated that they are happy with the decision and that they are looking forward to getting to the truth of the matter. Now it is still not clear what happened to Anni and the family are still waiting for answers. This long fight by Dewani against extradition has been very difficult for Anni’s family.

Duncan Lewis Criminal Solicitors

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To obtain expert legal advice on criminal law, contact Duncan Lewis criminal solicitors on 0207 923 4020.