The Supreme Court of Justice advised that it will not sanction the
extradition to the United States of Colombian citizens who have already
been condemned in Colombia for the same crime.
The Court said that while extradition is effective mechanism to combat drug trafficking, terrorism and other crimes, it can not privileged over the Colombian justice system.
The Court emphasized that their ruling complies with an international accord, stating that “extradition is inadmissible when the subject has already been condemned in their native country for the same crime”.
The Colombian government criticized the Court recently, when it refused to allow the extradition of drug trafficker Fredy Ferney Monsalve to the United States.
In the last six years the government has handed over more than 600 Colombians accused of drug trafficking to the United States.
The government expressed its concern that the Court’s stance will impede the previously approved extradition of several drug trafficking ring leaders currently incarcerated in Colombia.
