Latest news with #extradition
The Guardian
9 hours ago
- Business
- The Guardian
British businessman accused of plotting to smuggle US military technology to China
A British businessman has been indicted in the US with attempting to traffic sensitive American military technology to China and silence a critic of the Chinese president. John Miller, 63, was named by US authorities at the weekend after his arrest in Serbia, where he is facing extradition in connection with an FBI investigation. The Mail on Sunday reported that he was from Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Both he and a Chinese man, Cui Guanghai, are wanted in the US on charges relating to conspiracy to commit interstate stalking and conspiracy, smuggling and violations of the Arms Control Act. Both were named in US court documents, which included allegations that they had discussed ways to smuggle encryption technology out of the US and into China. The documents allege they paid a $10,000 deposit for a cryptographic device via a courier in the US. The same documents also allege that, beginning in November 2023, they had sought to purchase 'US defense articles, including missiles, air defense radar, drones, and cryptographic devices' for unlawful export to China. The alleged plot involved them having discussions with other people – identified in the US court documents as 'Individual 5' and 'Individual 6' – about smuggling the encryption technology in small electronics, a blender and a motor starter. Miller is also accused with Cui of plotting with two other individuals to prevent a US resident from protesting against the Chinese president Xi Jinping's attendance at the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation (Apec) summit in Los Angeles in November 2023. The alleged target was said to have previously made public statements in opposition to the policies and actions of the Chinese government and President Xi. In the weeks leading up to the Apec summit, Cui and Miller are alleged to have directed and coordinated a plot to surveil the victim, install a tracking device on their car, slash the tyres on their car and then purchase and destroy a pair of artistic statues created by the victim depicting President Xi and his wife. Unbeknownst to Cui and Miller, the two individuals with whom they had allegedly conspired in relation to this were 'acting at the direction of the FBI'. In spring last year, the alleged victim announced that he planned to make public an online video feed depicting two new artistic statues of President Xi and his wife. Miller and Cui are alleged to have paid two other individuals, who were also working with the FBI, approximately $36,500 to convince the alleged victim to desist from the online display of the statues. The US deputy attorney general, Todd Blanche, said: 'This is a blatant assault on both our national security and our democratic values. This justice department will not tolerate foreign repression on US soil, nor will we allow hostile nations to infiltrate or exploit our defence systems.' The FBI deputy director, Dan Bongino, said: 'The defendants allegedly plotted to harass and interfere with an individual who criticised the actions of the People's Republic of China while exercising their constitutionally protected free speech rights within the United States of America.' Miller, a permanent US resident, and Cui were named in indictments returned by federal grand juries in Milwaukee and Los Angeles. Miller was arrested in Belgrade on 24 April. If convicted they face maximum penalties of five years in prison for conspiracy, five years in prison for stalking, 20 years in prison for violation of the US Arms Export Control Act and 10 years in prison for smuggling. The US Department of Justice said it was coordinating with Serbian authorities regarding the pending extraditions of Cui and Miller from Serbia.
Irish Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Fall of House of Kinahan? Dubai no longer criminal safe haven after Sean McGovern extradition
Sean McGovern was whisked away from the Special Criminal Court in Dublin's north inner city on Thursday night, destined for a cell in Portlaoise Prison, following his extradition from the UAE . The Republic's only maximum security jail will be his home at least until he goes on trial. The regime in Portlaoise couldn't be much further from the high-roller lifestyle he has enjoyed in the sunshine of Dubai in recent years. His liberty is gone, at least for now; displaced by a dreary life behind high prison walls run on a strict timetable set by prison staff. The State alleges his Dubai lifestyle was derived from organised crime. And in the name of reaching for the top of that world, it is alleged McGovern murdered one man, conspired to murder another, and directed and enhanced the activities of an organised crime group. It will be up to the trial judges of the juryless Special Criminal Court to decide, probably later this year, if McGovern is guilty of any of the five charges, the most serious of which is murder. If convicted of the Kinahan-Hutch feud gun murder of Christopher 'Noel' Kirwan (62) in Clondalkin, Dublin, in 2016 , McGovern would face a mandatory life term of between 20 and 30 years. READ MORE However, he enjoys the presumption of innocence. The charges against him are no more than allegations. At Thursday's evening sitting of the Special Criminal Court, barrister Olan Callanan, for McGovern, said his client was reserving his position in relation to the 'lawfulness of his arrest' and the jurisdiction of the court. The 39-year-old Dubliner – originally from Drimnagh – and father of two is the first alleged member of the Kinahan cartel to be arrested in Dubai. He is also the first Irish person ever extradited to the Republic from UAE, where the authorities have historically been unwilling to co-operate with western countries in law enforcement matters. This is all uncharted legal territory. Asked by the media on Thursday evening what McGovern's extradition may mean for other Irish fugitives based in Dubai, Acting Garda Commissioner Shawna Coxon said his was 'a precedence-setting case'. Though she didn't say, everyone knows that 'precedence' is all about the Dubai-based Kinahans; cartel founder Christy Kinahan snr and his two sons, Daniel and Christopher jnr . Sean McGovern. Photograph: Garda The UAE authorities' willingness to assist Ireland by arresting McGovern in Dubai last year, agreeing to his extradition this week and having since signed a permanent extradition treaty with the Republic appears to clear the way for the Kinahans to follow on. However, one crucial piece of the puzzle is missing. Suspects can only be extradited from one country to another for the purpose of going on trial. And the charges must be serious. Extraditions cannot be sought for the purpose of arresting a suspect for questioning, or to otherwise aid an ongoing inquiry. The investigation into them must be completed, with charges approved by the DPP, as they were in relation to McGovern more than three years ago. At present, no charges have been approved in Ireland, or in any other country, against the Kinahans. That is why they are living openly in Dubai. It is not a case of the authorities, in Dubai or Ireland being unable to find the Kinahans to arrest them. Dubai police know exactly where they are. But no police force has come up with evidence against them strong enough to base serious criminal charges on. Three years have passed since the US joined Ireland's fight against the Kinahans, offering rewards of $5 million for information that would lead to their arrest and conviction. But nothing has emerged to suggest anyone with strong incriminating evidence to offer up has come forward. Against that background, is McGovern's extradition really going to keep the Kinahans awake at night? A number of Garda sources pointed to the fact files had been submitted to the DPP recommending charges against them. The Irish Times revealed almost two years ago that a file had been sent to the DPP for consideration after an investigation into the Kinahans, including for directing organised crime in Ireland. A file is also with the DPP in relation to the 2016 Kinahan-Hutch feud murder of Eddie Hutch . A group of men are under suspicion for a range of offences, from murder to more minor crimes that supported the murder conspiracy. Daniel Kinahan is one of those men. [ DPP directions still awaited on Eddie Hutch snr murder case, coroner's court told Opens in new window ] Many Garda members believe the legality of McGovern's arrest and extradition will be tested in the Special Criminal Court. If the extradition arrangements between UAE and Ireland are put under pressure, and withstand that legal test, the Kinahans will be next, they suggest. It remains to be seen if future events will unfold as neatly as hoped. Former Garda assistant commissioner Michael O'Sullivan said the extradition of McGovern and that of the Kinahans' once Dubai-based close allies demonstrated the UAE was no longer the safe haven it was once regarded. Dutch Moroccan Ridouan Taghi (47) and Italian Raffaele Imperiale (50) were members of the European super cartel, alongside Daniel Kinahan, controlling almost a third of Europe's cocaine market. In recent years they have been extradited or deported from Dubai and jailed in the Netherlands and Italy. [ Kinahan cartel member Sean McGovern charged with murder following extradition from Dubai Opens in new window ] O'Sullivan, the former head of the Garda's drug squad, said the UAE had now undergone a 'change of heart' around its willingness to extradite major criminal figures, under pressure from the US and because it was keen to enhance its global reputation. Although the Kinahans could relocate to other countries with no extradition treaty with Ireland, O'Sullivan wonders how likely, or easy, that would be. 'If the Americans lean on a given country and say 'we want this guy back' ... short of Putin (in Russia), nobody will say 'no, you can't'. And even with Putin ... he has exchanged people in the past.' O'Sullivan points to the case of Viktor Bout , a Russian arms dealer who was jailed in the US in 2011 after conviction on charges, including conspiring to kill US citizens. He has been accused of supplying arms to al-Qaeda, the Taliban and rebels in Rwanda. Sentenced to 25 years in the US in 2011, he was freed in 2022 in exchange for the release of US star basketball player Brittney Griner . She had been arrested in Moscow airport in 2022 when cartridges containing cannabis oil were found in her bag. O'Sullivan said if the Kinahans fled Dubai and relocated to another country, especially one on the fringes of the international community, they could become fodder for an international deal that country may want to put in place, especially with the US, in the next few years. [ Ireland's post-Kinahan drugs trade: Names and faces change but methods remain all too familiar Opens in new window ] 'They're in Dubai for a reason. For them it's been a civilised, wealthy place to do business, and with no extradition. It's western-style, with all the comforts of home and the sunshine. It has everything going for it. What's the next step for the Kinahans, 'let's move to Botswana'? Well, see how they get on with that, bringing your kids up there, what quality of life would you have there?' John O'Brien, a retired Garda detective chief superintendent, was head of the 'international liaison protection section' of the Garda and national head of Interpol and Europol. He believes with the comfort blanket of the UAE's former extradition-shy status now whipped away, and some of their key allies extradited, the Kinahans will 'try to relocate to a friendlier jurisdiction'. 'But there are very few of those places left. Frankly, you'd be talking about a 'narco' state, if any still exist, or something similar. The avenues for them are fairly narrow,' he said. 'Another feature for them in relocating is the assets they have buried in places like Dubai and other locations. You might physically be able to pop on a plane to wherever you want to go. But your control of the money, and your ability to control the empire, would be extremely limited.' But he also stresses that, in order to seek their extradition, investigations must be completed in Ireland to the point where they have a case to answer, relating to serious criminal charges. 'You must have sitting inside that [extradition] process a full case that's strong and that doesn't require any further investigation. That's a high bar.'
BreakingNews.ie
3 days ago
- General
- BreakingNews.ie
Man extradited from Republic by police investigating Belfast rape
A man has been extradited from the Republic of Ireland by detectives investigating a rape in Belfast in 2023. The 35-year-old man was arrested in the Republic of Ireland on April 9th after an extradition warrant was issued, the Police Service of Northern Ireland said. Advertisement The extradition proceedings were completed on Friday with his return to Northern Ireland. A 35-year-old man has today been extradited from the Republic of Ireland to Northern Ireland: — Police Service NI (@PoliceServiceNI) May 30, 2025 The man, who has not been named, is expected to appear before Belfast Magistrates' Court later on Friday. Police said he was subject to an investigation by the PSNI's rape crime unit in relation to an alleged incident in Belfast in October 2023. They said the man did not answer court bail in June 2024. Advertisement 'We continue to work with closely with An Garda Siochana to locate and return persons sought for extradition,' a PSNI spokesperson said. 'The Police Service of Northern Ireland is committed to tackling violence against women and girls and today's extradition delivers on our assurance of the relentless pursuit of perpetrators and supporting victims. 'We appreciate the support of our partners in locating and returning this man to Northern Ireland. 'The Police Service of Northern Ireland will relentlessly pursue those who skip bail and are sought to stand trial in this jurisdiction.' Advertisement
Khaleej Times
3 days ago
- General
- Khaleej Times
After UAE extradition, Kinahan cartel suspect Sean McGovern charged with murder in Ireland
An alleged top member of an Irish transnational gang was charged in Dublin Thursday with murder and directing organised crime after his extradition from the United Arab Emirates. Sean McGovern, 39, who was arrested at his Dubai home in October, has been described by Irish police as the right-hand man of Irish cartel boss Daniel Kinahan. "Following an extradition from the United Arab Emirates at the request of the Irish authorities, a male was arrested today," said a police statement without mentioning McGovern by name. Five charges were made against him at the Dublin Special Criminal Court, including a gangland murder in Dublin in 2016, conspiracy to murder, and directing an organised crime group. Irish police Deputy Commissioner Shawna Coxon told reporters the extradition was "another significant development in our continued work with international law enforcement partners to disrupt and dismantle transnational organised crime gangs." McGovern was flown back under Irish police escort on an Irish military aircraft which departed Dubai on Wednesday night. McGovern, who was also on a US sanctions list, was "the subject of an Interpol Red Notice," said the police statement, referring to a worldwide request to locate and provisionally arrest a suspect. Interpol described McGovern as "one of Ireland's most wanted fugitives". The Kinahan cartel has been linked by US and European authorities to a vast criminal enterprise encompassing drug smuggling and money laundering. McGovern, who had been living in Dubai for several years, is the first Kinahan cartel member to be arrested in Dubai, and is the first person ever extradited to Ireland from the United Arab Emirates. There is no extradition treaty between Ireland and the Gulf state but McGovern was extradited under a one-off arrangement.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
British tourist, 29, who was arrested and extradited to Portugal two years after teenager was killed 'in bottle attack' is a banking executive - and now faces decades in foreign prison
A British banking executive could spend the rest of his life behind bars in a Portuguese prison after being extradited following the horrific killing of a teenager with a broken bottle in Lisbon. Daniel Dunbar, who is set to be tried by Portuguese officials over the death of Daniel Galhanas in 2023, has been working in the Investor Management Department at the Royal Bank of Canada, The Sun reports. This is the first time rugby-playing 29-year-old, from Bexleyheath, Kent, has been named by authorities following a two-year-long manhunt. Teen Galhanas died after being stabbed in the neck with the sharp glass object in the early hours of October 14 2023. Dunbar was forced on a flight back to Portugal and remanded in custody after failed appeals against his return. It is said the attack against the 19-year-old victim occurred in Lisbon's Bairro Alto neighbourhood. Initial reports suggest he was targeted while trying to defend a friend who was part of a gang of thieves that tried to rob the suspected killer and his friends. The stabbing victim was first identified as one of the gang members who attacked the group, allegedly British tourists, in the Portuguese capital. Family members have denied Daniel was involved with the gang and said he was only trying to help his friend. According to the family, one of the tourists threw a bottle at Daniel's friend after the group was approached. The bottle broke and the unnamed suspect picked up the smashed bottle, using it to slash at Daniel, who had come between the group and his friend. A horrifying video shows the moment the male tourist launches a bottle at Daniel's friend before stabbing the victim, who then stumbles and collapses in a pool of blood in the street. The group of tourists are then seen running away. Daniel went into cardiac arrest and was taken alive to São José Hospital after being found by volunteer firefighters - but did not survive his injuries. Video footage from above the street shows about a dozen people clashing in the road as cars pass at the intersection of Calçada do Combro and Largo do Calhariz. Police say the gang targets foreign tourists on weekend evenings as they walk through the city after a night out. Confirming the arrest and extradition, Portugal's police force said: 'The Policia Judiciaria, with the collaboration of the police and judicial authorities of the United Kingdom, located, arrested and extradited to Portugal a 27-year-old man who is strongly suspected of committing a first degree murder.' They added: 'The crime took place in the early hours of 14 October, 2023, between 4am and 5am, following an altercation between two rival groups. 'The victim ended up being hit in the neck with a broken glass bottle, which caused serious injuries and led to his death on the spot. 'After the incident, both the suspect and the other members of his group fled the scene. 'Investigative work carried out by the PJ's Lisbon and Tagus Valley Directorate, which is leading the investigation, led to the identification of the suspected perpetrator and the issuing of an international arrest warrant. 'The suspect, a foreign national, was eventually located and arrested in the United Kingdom, where he travelled to the day after the murder. 'After being brought before judicial authorities in Portugal, he was remanded in pre-trial custody.'
