Extradition threat to hundreds as Britain signs up to EU law

August 17, 2009 by Infowars Ireland

Threat: The extension of police powers comes as campaigners fight the extradition to the U.S. of Gary McKinnon

www.dailymail.co.uk

Hundreds of Britons are expected to be extradited across Europe for trivial offences after Britain signed up to a new arrest warrant scheme.

The Home Office believes the number sent to face justice overseas is likely to treble when the draconian new agreement comes into force next April.

It means Britons in receipt of a European arrest warrant (EAW) could be sent for trial anywhere else in the EU for minor crimes such as drunkenness and driving offences.

The major extension of police powers comes as campaigners fight the extradition of computer hacker Gary McKinnon to the U.S.

European arrest warrants are already issued by EU nations, and British police forces usually respond to those relating to serious offences such as terrorism and organised crime.

Under the controversial new rules, a key part of the so-called Schengen Information II system, the police will be forced to respond to all EAWs.

Anyone who has an EAW issued against him or her will be automatically taken into custody. British courts must then allow an extradition, even if there are concerns about the standards of justice in the country they are being sent to. For example, trials in Poland, Greece and Bulgaria are often held without an English translation. Read full article…