(Trinidad Express) The US government has expressed “disappointment” regarding the decision of Attorney General Anand Ramlogan not to appeal Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh’s decision not to extradite businessmen Ishwar Galbaransingh and Steve Ferguson.
Galbaransingh and Ferguson, two financiers of the United National Congress, are wanted in the US to answer charges related to fraud and money laundering.
A release from the US Embassy on Wednesday described extradition as “a powerful tool in the fight against transnational crime”.
“The Government of the United States and the Govern-ment of Trinidad and Tobago have had a bilateral extradition treaty in place since 1996. Our governments work together closely to extradite suspects to both countries. Though we are very disappointed in the outcome, we value our relationship with Trinidad and Tobago and will continue to work with the government on other extradition cases,” the release stated.
In mid-November, when US Attorney General Eric Holder visited this country, he held consultations with Ramlogan to discuss the extradition matter, the Express learned. During that visit, Holder told a media briefing that he was satisfied with the relationship between this country and the US in terms of extradition policies.
“We have worked quite well in extraditing in both directions people to stand justice in both of our nations,” Holder had said at the briefing.
However, on Monday, a media release issued by Ramlogan confirmed that he would not be appealing the matter. Ramlogan said his decision not to appeal was based on advice received from Queen’s Counsel James Lewis.
Yesterday, another media release from Ramlogan, issued shortly after the US release, reiterated that the AG’s decision to not appeal remains intact.
“Of paramount importance is the question of where…the defendants are likely to be brought to justice in the quickest and shortest possible time,” the statement said.
“Not appealing means that the way is cleared for courts in Trinidad and Tobago to commence the trial of the defendants without further delay. It does not mean that the defendants will walk free without facing trial—a possible prospect if the State appealed. The Attorney General has every confidence in the ability of the Supreme Court of Justice of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to competently and fairly try these defendants and deliver justice according to law. “
His statement concluded, “Like the United States of America, the state of Trinidad and Tobago has also incurred great expense in this matter in which close to TT$100,000,000 has been expended in time and money. The defendants have exercised all their pre-trial legal options and the road is therefore now clear for the criminal justice system to get into high gear and commence their trial.”
In an interview with the Express on Wednesday, acting Public Affairs Officer at the US Embassy Alexander McLaren, when asked whether the US believes that justice was served with regard to the men not being extradited, said the businessmen are “still subject to prosecution in T&T”. Pressed further, McLaren said he could not comment on ongoing judicial matters.
The US was satisfied with the counsel (attorneys Avory Sinanan SC and Kelvin Ramkissoon) retained by Ramlogan to handle the matters, McLaren shied away from a direct answer, except to say that the US respects the legal and judicial institutions of this country.
