Early Day Motion No.811
Extradition of Lorrain Osman to Hong Kong
File
ра
HKD 384/1
<< Yaghmonan
I SEAD
35
113.
ZB
Speaking note
The motion is misconceived. The matters raised in the motion
have been extensively examined by the Courts in a series of
applications for habeas corpus and judicial review by Mr
Lorrain Osman, all of which have been rejected.
Background
1.
Mr Osman, a Malaysian businessman, is being held on remand pending extradition to Hong Kong to face numerous serious charges, including conspiracy to defraud, conspiracy to steal, bribery, theft and fraudulent false accounting. The alleged offences arose from the dealings (amounting to approximately US $800 million) of a deposit-taking company which was a subsidiary of a major Malaysian bank. Mr Osman was a director of both the bank and its subsidiary.
2.
His case has attracted a degree of notoriety as a result of Mr Osman's repeated attempts to block extradition through ruthless exploitation of the habeas corpus procedures in this country (he is a Barrister, having qualified in this country). Mr Osman has made seven applications for a writ of habeas corpus and two applications against the United Kingdom to the European Commission of Human Rights, all of which have failed. Giving judgement on Mr Osman's sixth application for habeas corpus, Lord Justice Woolf said:
"I have no doubt whatsoever that when the present application is considered in the context of the previous applications, it is indeed an abuse of process of the court."
3. In making his seventh application, Mr Osman also applied for the discovery of numerous documents held by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Hong Kong Government. The Court refused the application, explaining that it would not inspect documents unless they were likely to contain material which would be of assistance to the applicant.
4. Mr Osman has petitioned for leave to appeal to the House of Lords in respect of his judicial review application and is expected to do so in respect of his seventh habeas corpus shortly. These have still to be decided.
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