offences have throughout remained the same. The offences which

were the subject of the committal and the order for return

remained the same. All that has changed is the burden of proof.

The particulars of the offence in the charages stated that it

was alleged that Mr. Osman was acting without lawful authority

or reasonable excuse. It is implicit in the evidence that he had

no such authority or excuse. Under s. 21(a) of the Extradition

Act 1989 for there to be an extradition crime, what is required

is "conduct in the territory of (here) a colony which if it

occurred in the United Kingdom would constitute an offence

punishable with imprisonment for a term of 12 months" or more

which, however described in the law of the colony, is So

punishable under that law. (See the judgment of Robert Goff L.J.

in Re Nielson (1984) 79 Cr App R at PP. 11 and 12 in the

Divisional Court.) If the conduct relied on fulfils those

requirements, then a change in the burden of proof cannot affect

the question as to whether or not the offence is an extraditable

offence.

27

Page 105Page 106

Share This Page