Despite high level pressure in the UK, three former executives at Greenwhich NatWest (a division of the Royal Bank of Scotland)are set for extradition to the United States on July 13th in response to alleged Enron related fraud. While the three are set for trial in a Texas court, their own firm has declined to pursue charges against them.

The NatWest three, as they've come to be known represent the first white collar crime application of a post-9/11 treaty between the United states and Great Britain designed to speed extradition of terror suspects. While the treaty was signed in 2003, The U.S. Congress has yet to ratify the document. A futher point of irritation for many in the UK. From The Hindu:

Prime Minister Tony Blair is under pressure from political parties, human rights groups and the business community to halt the extradition of the three men — David Bermingham, Gary Mulgrew and Giles Darby — on grounds that the extradition arrangements are unfairly weighted in favour of America.

Under the provisions, America is not required to make a prima facie case when it wants someone extradited from Britain. But Britain has to convince American courts that a prima facie legal case exists against a person for extradition.

This is because the 2003 extradition treaty, pushed through British Parliament in the wake of 9/11 attacks to facilitate extradition of terrorists, has still not been ratified by the U.S. Senate.

More on the story and links galore via a Daily Caveat favorite, The Jurist. And a comment in defense of the extradition.

-- MDT

Labels: Enron, NatWest Three