Dewani's extradition from UK to South Africa halted for now

Mar 30, 2012 |

London

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A British court on Friday temporarily halted the extradition of Indian-origin businessman Shrien Dewani to South Africa to face trial for the murder of his 28-year-old wife during their honeymoon in 2010.

The High Court ruling comes amidst doubts being raised about Shrien's involvement in the murder following the revelation of new CCTV footage by the BBC last night. Bristol-based Shrien, 32, denied involvement for the killing of Anni Dewani in November 2010.

The extradition has been halted on mental health grounds. Shrien is said to be suffering from severe post-traumatic stress disorder and depression, and has contested South African bid to extradite him, on the ground that he is too unwell to face trial.

The new footage obtained by the BBC video telecast last night shows Shrien and Anni Dewani kissing hours before the murder and raises questions about the credibility of a key witness who is also filmed. Meanwhile, a South African legal expert said Shrien could serve his sentence in Bristol Prison if he is found guilty of plotting to murder Anni.

Paul Hoffman, a former acting High Court judge in South Africa, told the BBC that option was very unusual, but could be arranged through an inter-governmental deal. A UK Ministry of Justice spokesman said the department had prisoner transfer agreements with various countries but not with South Africa.

However, that could change in the future. Taxi driver Zola Tongo, who has admitted his part in the murder, claimed that he was hired by Shrien to arrange his wife's execution during a fake car-jacking.

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