§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Solicitor-General for what reasons the trial of Mr. Mikhail Karacostas and his associates was not proceeded with. [138759]
The Solicitor-GeneralAt a pre-trial hearing in May 1999, new evidence emerged which showed that some of the evidence upon which the prosecution relied was suspect. In particular, it emerged for the first time that an informant had had a closer association with one of Mr. Karocostas's fellow defendants than had been previously realised. Further, it soon became apparent that this informant, together with a journalist, may have incited this defendant to take part in the alleged crimes with a view to entrapping him. In the light of these revelations, prosecuting Counsel advised the Crown Prosecution Service that it would be difficult for the prosecution to succeed as the credibility of the prosecution case had been severely damaged. The Crown Prosecution Service accepted this advice and the prosecution was discontinued.
§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Solicitor-General how long Mr. Mikhail Karacostas and his associates were held in detention in(a) Germany and (b) the United Kingdom before trial and consequent upon the United Kingdom's extradition request; and if he will make a statement. [138754]
The Solicitor-GeneralMikhail Karacostas and his associates, Christos Ieronymides, Pierre Daskas and Fotios Platanides, were held by the German authorities from 22 March 1998 until they were surrendered to the United Kingdom authorities on 28 August 1998. They were then remanded in custody awaiting trial. They were released on 27 May 1999 at the end of the trial.
§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Solicitor-General if he will make a statement on the factors which led the United Kingdom to request the German authorities to extradite Mr. Mikhail Karacostas and his associates to the United Kingdom. [138758]
The Solicitor-GeneralMr. Karacostas and associates (Christos leronymides, Fotios Platanides and Pierre Daskas) were accused of being involved in serious criminal activities in the UK. If the Crown Prosecution Service is satisfied that there is a realistic prospect of conviction (acting in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors), and the accused is in a foreign state, extradition proceedings will be commenced in accordance with that foreign state. In the case of Germany, Mr. Karacostas's extradition was sought under the provisions of the European Convention on Extradition.
At the time the request was submitted to the German authorities, the Crown Prosecution Service was satisfied that there was a realistic prospect of conviction against Mr. Karacostas and his associates, and accordingly a request for extradition was submitted through the appropriate channels in accordance with the Convention.