[Lauchenoiria]

Lauchenoirian Guardian

Extradition crisis: Bloch appeal hearing begins, Xiomeran cases dropped
9th August 2019

A Lauchenoirian court is today hearing the appeal of Shuellian national Peter Bloch following a decision to extradite him by President Marwick. Marwick’s decision has sparked controversy, with even Prime Minister Alvarez attempting to distance herself from it. If Bloch, who is accused of terrorism, is extradited he will be the first individual extradited from Lauchenoiria to a country with the death penalty since 1993 – though the Shuellians have given assurances he is not to be executed.

The Bloch case is part of a trio of cases which have been dubbed the ‘extradition crisis’ by social media. The other cases include those of Kerlian serial killer Jasmine Eddington, who escaped across the border several weeks ago; and two Xiomeran journalists, Tlixō and Xōne, who are wanted for treason. Eddington, responsible for the deaths of 13 adolescent boys in Kerlile, was the cause of the rushed passage of the Extraditions Act (2019) through parliament, granting the president powers to extradite to countries which use capital punishment in select circumstances.

President Marwick set up a taskforce to examine the extradition cases in full detail following the request by Shuell. The taskforce has today advised that extradition be refused in the cases of the two Xiomerans – only a day after recommending that the Shuellian case be considered. A spokesperson for the taskforce told the Lauchenoirian Guardian that: “there is no evidence that the Xiomerans committed any violent crimes in Xiomera, and we have not received assurances that they would not be executed.”

This will come as a relief to the two Xiomerans and to their supporters. Following an attack on the Xiomeran Embassy yesterday morning, they have been under surveillance by the Lauchenoirian authorities. Xiomera had added charges of terrorism to the warrants following this, which had led some to believe that they would be eligible for extradition under the new Act – which allows for extradition in cases where an individual is over 21, guilty of a violent crime and where Lauchenoiria has received assurances they would not be executed. However, the taskforce confirmed that the attack was under Lauchenoirian jurisdiction.

Peter Bloch, a Shuellian national, appeared in court appealing the decision to extradite. Bloch was an aid worker who had come to Lauchenoiria as part of an effort to help Lauchenoirians in areas which were devastated during last year’s war. Shuell has been a large provider of aid to Lauchenoiria post-war, after having been invited into the country by former Prime Minister Keitha Noguera. Bloch later attempted to claim asylum in Lauchenoiria – though this claim was rejected when immigration officials decided he was ineligible for refugee status.

The result of Bloch’s appeal will likely be announced on Monday. If it is successful, he will remain in Lauchenoiria. If not, he will be extradited to Shuell – the first extradition to the country from Lauchenoiria in history.