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'Dudus' has rights too, says Golding
By PAUL HENRY Observer staff reporter henryp@jamaicaobserver.com
Monday, September 28, 2009
Prime Minister Bruce Golding yesterday broke his silence on what seems, at least from the outside, a Jamaica stand-off with the United States over that country's extradition request for Tivoli Gardens area leader Christopher "Dudus" Coke on drugs and gun-related allegations.
Golding, who was addressing Jamaica Labour Party supporters at the Jamaica Conference centre in Kingston, said to thunderous applause that the country had a right to protect its citizens.
Karl Samuda left, listens as Prime Minister Bruce Golding addresses The Jamaica Labour Party held conference yesterday.
"The [justice] minister's obligation, first and foremost, is to protect the rights of Jamaican citizens and to ensure that the protection of those rights is consistent with the application of the [Mutual Assistance Treaty] in each particular case," said Golding.
According to Golding, under whose West Kingston constituency Tivoli Gardens falls, the treaty also outlines the procedures to be followed in such matters, while noting that the minister needed to exercise due diligence in coming to a decision on whether or not to proceed with extradition proceedings against any citizen.
Golding, while noting that he would not say much on the subject due to ongoing discussions between both countries over the matter of Coke's extradition, noted that Jamaica was "committed to its obligation" under the Mutual Assistance Treaty.
Coke is wanted for trial in the US on multiple counts of drugs and arms trafficking.
The US had requested his extradition in August.
If found guilty of the narcotics charge, Coke could be slapped with a life sentence or a mandatory 10-year sentence as well as a fine of up to US$4 million.
If found guilty of the arms trafficking charge, Coke could spend five years in a US prison and be ordered to pay a fine of US$250,000.
Federal authorities have also threatened to seize all of Coke's known assets should he be convicted.
By PAUL HENRY Observer staff reporter henryp@jamaicaobserver.com
Monday, September 28, 2009
Prime Minister Bruce Golding yesterday broke his silence on what seems, at least from the outside, a Jamaica stand-off with the United States over that country's extradition request for Tivoli Gardens area leader Christopher "Dudus" Coke on drugs and gun-related allegations.
Golding, who was addressing Jamaica Labour Party supporters at the Jamaica Conference centre in Kingston, said to thunderous applause that the country had a right to protect its citizens.
Karl Samuda left, listens as Prime Minister Bruce Golding addresses The Jamaica Labour Party held conference yesterday."The [justice] minister's obligation, first and foremost, is to protect the rights of Jamaican citizens and to ensure that the protection of those rights is consistent with the application of the [Mutual Assistance Treaty] in each particular case," said Golding.
According to Golding, under whose West Kingston constituency Tivoli Gardens falls, the treaty also outlines the procedures to be followed in such matters, while noting that the minister needed to exercise due diligence in coming to a decision on whether or not to proceed with extradition proceedings against any citizen.
Golding, while noting that he would not say much on the subject due to ongoing discussions between both countries over the matter of Coke's extradition, noted that Jamaica was "committed to its obligation" under the Mutual Assistance Treaty.
Coke is wanted for trial in the US on multiple counts of drugs and arms trafficking.
The US had requested his extradition in August.
If found guilty of the narcotics charge, Coke could be slapped with a life sentence or a mandatory 10-year sentence as well as a fine of up to US$4 million.
If found guilty of the arms trafficking charge, Coke could spend five years in a US prison and be ordered to pay a fine of US$250,000.
Federal authorities have also threatened to seize all of Coke's known assets should he be convicted.
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