No deal Brexit could help most wanted fugitives escape justice
A NO deal Brexit could make it easier for dangerous fugitives hiding in foreign countries to evade capture, Scotland’s top law officer has warned.
The European Arrest Warrant allows Scottish Police to bring suspects from other EU countries to face trial for crimes committed here.
Currently on Police Scotland’s most wanted list are men suspected of murder, rape and fraud thought to be in countries including Spain, France and the Netherlands.
Derek Ferguson is wanted in connection with the shooting of Thomas Cameron outside the Auchinairn Tavern in 2007. He is thought to be in Spain, Netherlands or Ireland
Jordan Owen is wanted in connection with the murder of 22 year-old Jamie Lee in a children’s playpark in Castlemilk. A European Arrest Warrant has been issued.
Israr Ali is wanted in relation to the murder of Waqar Shah who was killed in his flat on Pollokshaws Road, Shawlands, on April 1 2010. He is thought to be in France or possibly Pakistan.
Rezgar Zanganar was convicted of raping a 25-yearold woman he picked up while posing as a private hire taxi driver. He was convicted of rape at the High Court in Glasgow in June 2008 but he failed to appear for sentencing the following month.
Martin Banis is wanted by Police in Latvia in relation to 18 charges of fraud for which he has been convicted and sentenced to six years imprisonment.
James Wolffe, Lord Advocate, is appearing before the Scottish Parliament Justice Committee today.
In a speech earlier this year, he said Scotland benefits the EU justice co-operation system. He said: “Our ability effectively to meet the challenges posed by transnational crime, would be materially diminished if we cease to be party to that regime.”
In a written submission, the Crown Office Procurator Fiscal Service stated: “In the absence of any agreement on this matter between the EU and the UK, the UK would cease, on leaving the EU, to be party to any of the EU instruments of co-operation.”
Police have been on working on contingency plans for after Brexit.
Detective Chief Superintendent Pat Campbell said: “Since the result of the EU Referendum in June 2016, Police Scotland has been working closely with colleagues nationally and internationally to ensure a continuity of service to our communities.”