Czech court rules Indian man can be extradited to US, justice minister to decide
A demonstrator uses a microphone as others hold flags and signs as they protest outside India's consulate in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada September 25, 2023. PHOTO: REUTERS
A Czech appeals court has ruled that Prague can extradite to the United States an Indian man accused by the US of involvement in an unsuccessful plot to kill a Sikh separatist on American soil, the Justice Ministry said on Friday.
A final decision on the extradition of Nikhil Gupta, 52, will be in the hands of Justice Minister Pavel Blazek once the ruling is delivered to all parties in the case, a ministry spokesperson told Reuters.
"The time frame for the minister's decision cannot be assumed at this point," the Justice Ministry spokesman said, adding that Gupta could be expected to take all steps possible to try to prevent extradition.
The minister has three months to turn to the Supreme Court in case he has doubts about the lower court' decisions, the spokesperson said.
Read also: Indian govt official directed Sikh separatist's assassination plot in US, DOJ says
The Prague High Court rejected Gupta's appeal against a December decision by a lower court that ruled that extradition is allowed.
A spokesperson for the Prague High Court declined immediate comment.
The Czech Republic has in the past agreed to US extradition requests.
A lawyer for Gupta did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Czech news website quoted the lawyer as saying he would ask the minister not to extradite Gupta, and would also take the case to the Constitutional Court.