British man faces extradition to Portugal

Graham Mitchell acquitted of attempted murder 17 years ago, but the Portuguese authorities want to extradite him for a new trial

A Briton faces extradition to Portugal

for trial on a charge of attempted murder in which he was acquitted 17 years ago in a case that raised more questions about the system extradition of the EU.

Under the European Arrest Warrant (EAW), established in 2002, the EU countries can apply to citizens for trial in neighboring countries within the bloc, without describing the evidence. Critics say this has led to a number of cases unjust.

Graham Mitchell, a photographer for 49 years, Canterbury, Kent, was arrested with a friend in May 1994 during a stay in the Algarve. Portuguese police accused him and Warren Tozer attacking a German man aged 26 who came upon a sea wall and was paralyzed from the waist down. After a year in prison, the couple was acquitted of attempted murder, handed their passports and allowed to return to the UK.

The case drew attention at the time and was the subject of a BBC Panorama program. The images of the end of the test shows that the judge of the cleanliness of the duo.

However, Mitchell told the BBC this month has been visited by three members of the police in the UK who said that the Portuguese authorities are seeking his extradition for that it a new trial for the same offense. After a night in jail is now on bail.

Mitchell, who is now married with two children, told the BBC she had been severely traumatized by his initial year long spell in custody in Portugal and back to hell "on Earth." He said: "I'm terrified my wife is terrified Our lives turned upside down and backward at each moment is a constant concern ...."

Portuguese authorities have yet to say why they want to reopen the case, or if everything goes wrong. Mitchell said the British police informed him they were informed that the cargo was destined for first degree murder, an impossibility, since the man in the German language is still alive.

• judicial activists have warned that measures to make the European system of extradition requests arrest warrant rational and effective, even seemingly bewildering very hard for British courts to challenge or reject.

A group, Fair Trials International, says Mitchell. Chief executive Jago Russell said: "We hope he realizes that Portugal would be wrong to extradite years later Graham was acquitted, and withdraw the request for fear that if they do, it can have little ability to stop. surrendered under the Extradition Acts defective in the UK. "

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