[Lauchenoiria]

Lauchenoirian Guardian

Extradition crisis: protests in Buttercity as decision on Shuellian finalised
12th August 2019

Protests are taking place in Buttercity following the rejection of an appeal by Shuellian national Peter Bloch against his extradition by a Lauchenoirian judge. Bloch, accused of a variety of crimes including terrorism in his native Shuell, will be the first person since 1993 to be extradited from Lauchenoira to a country which uses the death penalty - though Shuell has given assurances that Bloch will not be executed.

Peter Bloch came to Lauchenoiria as part of an effort by Shuell to provide aid to war-torn communities in southern Lauchenoiria, after Shuell was invited to send aid to the country by then-Prime Minister Keitha Noguera. This move has since courted controversy, with many raising concerns about human rights in Shuell. Bloch attempted to claim asylum in Lauchenoiria last week, however his claim was rejected during his initial interview by immigration officials, who said he was ineligible for refugee status.

The request for the extradition of Mr. Bloch by Shuell came shortly after two other extradition requests. The first came from the Huenyan Empire of Xiomera, for two journalists wanted for running a pirate media operation, and then later one from the Matriarchy of Kerlile in the case of Jasmine Eddington, notorious serial killer who escaped across the border over two weeks ago. The Xiomeran case was rejected on the grounds that the individuals had not committed a violent crime in Lauchenoiria. Eddington is presently appealing her extradition.

President Marwick decided to extradite Mr. Bloch last week - a decision which has caused controversy across the IDU. Prime Minister Alvarez, who initially supported the decision later criticised Marwick. Alvarez's u-turn came after Sanctarian Chancellor Charlene Hendry criticised the pair, which is thought to have factored in to Alvarez's position. There has also been protests across Lauchenoiria against Marwick in light of the decision. These have increased since the announcement of the failed appeal this morning.

Bloch had appealed the decision of President Marwick to extradite him to Shuell, and his case was heard by a Lauchenoirian court on Friday. This morning, the judge announced that the appeal had been rejected. Protestors later accused the judge of being "politically motivated", and of aiming only to please Shuell in exchange for their aid. A spokesperson for the Lauchenoirian government later released a statement saying "the Lauchenoirian judiciary is independent, the government had no role in this verdict."

The extradition of Peter Bloch is expected to take place tomorrow, although further details are being kept private for reasons of national security.