Extradition case of Pakistani national: UK judge seeks clarity
London: A UK judge hearing the closing arguments in the extradition case of Pakistani national Jabir Moti, referred to as a "top lieutenant" in underworld don Dawood Ibrahim's organised crime syndicate, has sought clarity from the US authorities about the terror aspect of the case.
Moti is fighting his extradition to the US on drug trafficking and money laundering offences amounting to around USD 1.4 million. The US extradition request also states that Motiwala reported directly to Dawood, who is a designated terrorist and wanted for the 1993 serial bombings in Mumbai. "There is an added element to this case in that there is a clear reference to this man's (Moti) position, who is said to be a lieutenant of the man (Ibrahim) who is involved in the most horrendous crimes, including bombings in India," said Judge John Zani at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London.
There must be a clarity on what will happen to this man (Moti) in the US either this case has a terror element or not, the judge said, directing that an additional question be sent to the US authorities to clarify the likelihood of an enhanced terrorism charge applied by the prosecutors if Moti is extradited to the US.
The judge's intervention followed Moti's barrister laying out as one of his central defence arguments that the US prosecutors had failed to provide an undertaking that his
client will not be subjected to an add tional terrorism charge above the drug trafficking allegation.