The Caribbean Court of Justice, CCJ, is to rule on the latest attempt by former insurance executive Alex Tasker to avoid being extradited to the U.S. to stand trial.
The Trinidad-based CCJ, at a sitting in Barbados today, heard Mr. Tasker’s motion to re-open his application for special leave to appeal to the CCJ.
Mr. Tasker wants to appeal before the CCJ the decision of the Court of Appeal of Barbados which had dismissed his attempt to block extradition to the U.S. to face charges for money laundering and conspiracy to launder money.
Mr. Tasker was taken into custody on August 1st pending extradition, a day after the CCJ dismissed his application for leave to challenge his transfer to U.S. custody.
But he was released the next day after his attorneys made a subsequent “urgent request” to the Trinidad-based court “to hear further interventions”.
The hearing of the application in an attempt to block extradition was held today with the CCJ meeting at the Barbados Supreme Court Complex at White Park Road, St. Michael.
Mr. Tasker’s application to appeal extradition had been dismissed because it was filed too late since the period allowed for filing such motions had expired.
But today Mr. Tasker’s attorney Stephen Mendez argued that the CCJ should not, in his words, close the door on an applicant because his lawyers failed to file within the prescribed time.
Mr. Mendez said the court should not make the client pay for the error of his lawyers.
However, Barbados Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Alliston Seale saw no need to vary the decision arguing that the rules of the court are clear and should be followed.
With the CCJ having heard the arguments and counter arguments, the President of the Court adjourned today’s hearing stating that a decision will be announced in due course.
The stay of the extradition continues pending that decision and Mr. Tasker remains free.
