UK 'powerless' to stop extradition of Smethwick terror suspect
The British Government is powerless to prevent a terror suspect from the Black Country from being extradited to India, the Foreign Secretary has said.
Philip Hammond said he had made Portuguese authorities aware that Paramjeet Singh Saini has asylum status in the UK but that it would ultimately be up to them if he is sent to India, where he faces murder and bombing charges.
The father-of-four from Smethwick is in jail in Portugal after being arrested by Interpol officers while on a family holiday. He is due to attend a hearing there on January 26.
Indian authorities allege Mr Saini was involved with the killing of a prominent Sikh politician and a bombing campaign in the north west of the country but his wife insists he is a devoted family man and fears she may never see him again if he is forced to go to India.
Mr Hammond said in the House of Commons: "We will continue to monitor Mr Singh's case and will make a decision on further action when all the facts are available.
"Ultimately, however, it is the Portuguese authorities that have jurisdiction in Mr Singh's case and will decide whether or not to extradite him to India."
