Britain Refuses to Extradite U.S. Sex Crimes Suspect on Human Rights Grounds

[Are_grits_groceries]

Julian Assange’s extradition case isn’t the only one generating headlines—and outrage—in the U.K.: On Thursday, the British High Court blocked an attempt by the U.S. government to extradite an American citizen wanted in Minnesota for alleged child sex crimes. The reason? The court ruled that if Shawn Sullivan were to be committed to Minnesota’s controversial sex offender treatment program, it would represent a ”flagrant denial” of his human rights.

The 43-year-old Sullivan, described by the media in the U.K. and Ireland as “one of America’s most-wanted pedophiles,” is accused of raping a 14-year-old girl and sexually molesting two 11-year-olds in Minnesota in the 1990s. As prosecutors were preparing to file charges against him, Sullivan fled to Ireland where he holds dual citizenship. While there, he was convicted of sexually assaulting two 12-year-old Irish girls, and received a suspended sentence.

He later moved to London on his Irish passport and was arrested two years ago. He married his girlfriend, a U.K. Ministry of Justice official, while being held in London’s Wandsworth Prison. He was eventually released on bail, though he had to wear an electronic device.

The U.S. was understandably irked by the High Court ruling. “We strongly disagree with the decision of the court that he should not be extradited to face trial in the U.S,” said a spokesman for the U.S. Embassy, according to the Telegraph. An attorney representing the alleged victims in Minnesota said the only recourse left to them was a lawsuit in U.S. civil court.
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Read more: http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/06/29/britain-refuses-to-extradite-u-s-sex-crimes-suspect-on-human-rights-grounds/#ixzz24Zjq2Sei

[xchrom]

1. Du rec. Nt

[joeybee12]

2. Married a Ministry of Justice official???

Pays to have friends in high places appaarently.

KNR

[treestar]

3. Not precedent for Julian however

At issue for the High Court was the Minnesota sex offender treatment program, which is considered one of the harshest in the U.S. If a judge decides that a person is sexually dangerous or sexually psychopathic, he or she can be incarcerated at one of the program’s treatment facilities indefinitely – regardless of how long ago the offenses were committed or even if the individual was convicted of a crime. Since the program was launched in 1988, only two people have reportedly been released. There are currently more than 600 people in the program.

In the court’s ruling, the U.K. justices were unflagging in their criticism. “Civil commitment is unknown to European law, but is a process available in 20 states in the United States. Minnesota’s law is said to be more draconian than many others,” Lord Justice Alan Moses wrote. The other judge on the panel, David Eady, concurred, saying “there is a more than fanciful risk that the appellant would become subject to the civil commitment process.”

Read more: http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/06/29/britain-refuses-to-extradite-u-s-sex-crimes-suspect-on-human-rights-grounds/#ixzz24ZmaDHRU

He can only use Sweden's law that he is facing. This guy was facing a US law. It's not all or nothing. Each case is considered for its facts. There's no legal argument to the effect that "one person was refused extradition, so all must be refused."

[Generic Other]

6. he re-offended...maybe he belongs there?

Not being held to the same :high standard" as Assange case that's for sure.

[treestar]

7. The court objected to a Minnesota law

and my post explains why they objected to it.

Same legal system does not object to Sweden's criminal procedures. It's a different set of facts.

[hack89]

4. Indefinite detention should be unconstitutional

the government cannot be trusted with such power.

[Aerows]

5. I could not agree with you more

It's dangerous.

[dickthegrouch]

8. I have never understood how a sentence 15 to life can be legal

If I found myself in that position, I would challenge it on grounds of being cruel and unusual since it is inherently non-deterministic.