Jack warns Al-Rawi about comments on his extradition case

Senior Reporter

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Former Fifa vice president Jack Warner has warned former attorney general and current Opposition Senator Faris Al-Rawi about commenting on his ongoing legal challenge over his US extradition proceedings.

In a press release issued on Thursday, Warner noted that Al-Rawi has commented extensively on a development in his case that occurred this week.

Describing Al-Rawi’s comments as untimely and inappropriate, Warner suggested that such would infringe on his right to a fair hearing and risk contaminating public discourse with speculation and legal posturing.

“I must warn Mr Al-Rawi that his continued public commentary on a matter sub-judice, borders on defamation and may give rise to legal action,” Warner said.

“If he wishes to present arguments, let him do so within the courtroom, not from behind a microphone or political podium,” he added, as he said he was seeking to protect the integrity of the legal process.

Warner’s case challenging his extradition was set to go on trial on Tuesday, when British attorney Robert Strang, who was recently appointed to replace the State’s legal team for the case, claimed that Warner’s lawyers, led by Fyard Hosein, SC, had raised valid concerns over a purported agreed arrangement between the US and this country, relative to the extradition request for him.

Strang admitted that while the AG’s Office had claimed the existence of the arrangement, which specifically deals with the criminal charges Warner would face in the US if he is eventually extradited, it subsequently admitted that it could not be found or may not have existed.

Strang apologised to Warner, as he admitted that his previous civil lawsuit challenging his extradition was rejected by the local courts and the United Kingdom-based Privy Council based on the agreement being valid.

“It is plain that the Privy Council decided the case based on a misunderstanding of facts fostered by the AG’s Office,” Strang said.

The trial was adjourned after Strang claimed that Attorney General John Jeremie had launched a probe into the handling of Warner’s extradition since the process was initiated in 2015.

Speaking at a media conference the following day, Al-Rawi questioned the development, as he noted that the State’s previous legal team had raised valid defences to Warner’s lawsuit, including that the issue should have been raised in his previous cases.

He also pointed to evidence from former Central Authority Unit head Graeme Mc Clean, who pointed out that the same certification that was used in Warner’s case was utilised in other extradition matters to the US over the past two decades.

Mc Clean also stated that a specialist agreement in relation to Warner was not necessary, as this was covered by the extradition treaty between the two countries. He also pointed to a diplomatic note from the US Embassy in 2023, which stated that Warner would not face prosecution for any other offence that was not identified by US authorities when they made the extradition request.