Exposed: The Alarming Truth Behind Peter Uricek’s Forced Extradition!

A significant controversy has emerged surrounding the extradition of Slovak national Peter Uricek, revealing serious lapses in the handling of his case by the previous government. Amid ongoing extradition proceedings, Deputy Ehsan Jumun has sought clearer insights into the events leading to Uricek’s expulsion, despite a pending case at the Port-Louis District Court and a temporary injunction from the Supreme Court, appropriately communicated to all necessary authorities.

During a detailed account, Attorney General Gavin Glover outlined the shocking developments.

He noted that this situation exemplified how the law can be sidestepped and weakened when a government operates without sound legal direction.

Uricek arrived in Mauritius from Kenya in February 2019 with only a tourist visa.

Shortly after, he applied for an Occupation Permit.

Months went by without any results from checks conducted by the passport and immigration office or Interpol.

Eventually, he was granted an Occupation Permit lasting three years.

Arrest and Extradition

The case escalated on 15 November 2020 when the Attorney General’s office received a request from the Slovak Republic for Uricek’s arrest and extradition.

He was sought in Slovakia for allegedly supplying drug manufacturing materials worth millions of euros between 2015 and 2018.

By January 2021, Glover confirmed Uricek’s presence in Mauritius, and preparations for his arrest and extradition began, only to be interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown measures.

In 2021, the Attorney General initiated discussions with Slovakia regarding Uricek’s extradition.

By 15 April 2022, Slovakia confirmed its intent to proceed, leading to Uricek’s arrest on 27 February 2022.

Yet, he was released on bail on 9 March, and soon after applied to renew his permit, citing plans to marry a Mauritian.

However, on 15 April 2022, the then-Prime Minister revoked his residency status, with Uricek only made aware of this change a week later.

Glover stressed, “It is evident that we followed the legal protocols.

We had an individual who entered the country legitimately and was subsequently subjected to an extradition request from his home country.

While this process was ongoing, he was also declared an illegal immigrant.”

At that juncture, two legal pathways for Uricek’s extradition became available: the court handling the extradition could order his return to Slovakia, or he could be expelled under immigration law due to his illegal status.

However, the necessary procedures were not adhered to.

“An injunction from a Supreme Court judge was duly served to the Mauritian authorities, including the Prime Minister’s Office and the Immigration Department, prohibiting any deportation or extradition attempts involving this foreign national.

Despite this, I was informed that on the very day the injunction was granted, he was re-arrested, allegedly under immigration law.

He was then taken to the airport by police for a forced expulsion by Slovak authorities on a special flight that left shortly before 4 PM, even while both relevant offices had already been notified of the court’s order,” Glover clarified.

Various justifications for this severe action were presented by the former Prime Minister, which Glover described as “alarming.”

He mentioned, “A contempt of court action concerning this matter is currently awaiting judgment in the Supreme Court, so I cannot provide further details.”

Glover also pointed out that there are crucial gaps in the expulsion process that the new government intends to rectify.

Importantly, he characterised Uricek’s situation as a disguised extradition, stressing the necessity for strict compliance with legal frameworks to prevent such occurrences in the future.

“We have to learn from our mistakes,” he asserted with conviction, underscoring the commitment to uphold the law going forward.

Source: l’Express