Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BELMOPAN492
2007-08-06 19:38:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Belmopan
Cable title:  

BELMOPAN: GOB RESPONSE TO SEAWELL EXTRADITION REQUEST

Tags:  PREL KTIA BH 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0016
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBE #0492 2181938
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 061938Z AUG 07
FM AMEMBASSY BELMOPAN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0722
RHMFIUU/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS BELMOPAN 000492 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

FOR WHA/CEN, L
JUSTICE VFOR P. PETTY

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KTIA BH
SUBJECT: BELMOPAN: GOB RESPONSE TO SEAWELL EXTRADITION REQUEST


UNCLAS BELMOPAN 000492

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

FOR WHA/CEN, L
JUSTICE VFOR P. PETTY

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KTIA BH
SUBJECT: BELMOPAN: GOB RESPONSE TO SEAWELL EXTRADITION REQUEST



1. (U) This is an action request. See para 5.


2. (U) In response to Embassy's formal request for an update on the
Seawell Extradition request, the following diplomatic note from the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs was received August 3, 2007.


3. (U) TEXT OF DIPLOMATIC NOTE NO. 495

COMPLIMENTARY OPENING

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade wishes to inform
the Embassy of the United States that the extradition proceeding for
Mr. Mark Seawell has commenced before the Chief Magistrate and the
bundle of evidence supporting the extradition has already been
tendered. The Attorneys for Mr. Seawell requested time to respond
and the matter was adjourned to 7 May 2007.

However, on 11 April 2007, an Attorney for Mark Seawell wrote to the
Minister of Foreign Affairs requesting that he halt the extradition
proceedings in Belize because the United States Government was in
breach of Article 16(1) of the Treaty when they refused to allow Mr.
Duane Seawell to return to Belize to stand his extradition
proceedings in accordance with the laws of Belize. On 22 May 2007,
the Minister of Foreign Affairs wrote to Mr. Mark Seawell's Attorney
refusing the request and ordering that the extradition proceeding
should continue. As a result Mr. Seawell's Attorney proceeded to
file papers in the Supreme Court seeking judicial review of the
Minister's decision, and the Chief Magistrate has stayed proceedings
before her until the determination of this application. The Judge
has set 26 October 2007 for the hearing of the application.
COMPLIMENTARY CLOSING
END TEXT.


4. (SBU) Comment: The strategy in this case seems to be delay. We
understand the Mark Seawell continues to run his drug business from
prison while the court proceedings continue. After a flurry of
activity there has been little progress in locating the third
Seawell brother, Gary. End comment.


5. (U) Action request: Post would appreciate an update on the
status of Duane Seawell's court proceedings.

HILL