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US judge could enhance any sentence imposed on man wanted on international terrorism charges, High Court hears
Summary
In a High Court hearing on 3 December 2014, lawyers for Ali Charaf Damache, a 49‑year‑old Algerian‑born Irish citizen, argued that a U.S. sentencing judge could impose a penalty for conduct not charged in the extradition request. Damache is wanted in the United States for alleged conspiracy to provide support to terrorists, with the U.S. authorities claiming he conspired with American woman Colleen LaRose (Jihad Jane) and others to create a terror cell in Europe. Mícheál P O'Higgins SC contended that the U.S. judge's power to enhance the sentence would breach the Rule of Specialty under Section 20 of the 1965 Extradition Act, which limits prosecution to the offences for which the person was extradited. He cited an affidavit by U.S. Assistant Attorney Jennifer Williams and a statement by U.S. lawyer Joshua Dratel, who estimated Damache could receive a sentence exceeding 40 years. O'Higgins noted that the U.S.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: US judge could enhance any sentence imposed on man wanted on international terrorism charges, High Court hears. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- 2014-12-03 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Outcome: LaRose was sentenced last January to 10 years in prison after being convicted of planning to murder Swedish cartoonist Lars Vilks, who had depicted the head of the Muslim prophet Mohammad on a dog.
Places mentioned
- High Court
- Supreme Court
Topics
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