File photo of Niels Holck. | Photo credit: AP
A Danish court on Thursday (August 29, 2024) rejected India’s extradition request of a Danish national accused of being involved in an arms smuggling case 29 years ago, going against Denmark’s top prosecution authority which had given the green signal to send Niels Holck abroad.
Holck admitted to participating in dropping assault rifles, rocket launchers and missiles from a cargo plane in Purulia, West Bengal, in 1995. Indian police said the weapons were meant for a revolutionary group in the country.
The Hillerød District Court said that despite “additional diplomatic guarantees” provided by India, there was a “real risk” that Holck would face torture or other inhuman treatment in India.
Holck, 62, said he feared for his life if he were extradited.
“I would like to be accountable before the judge because I believe this is a justifiable emergency, but I would not like to die from it,” Holck told Danish radio DR before the verdict was announced on Thursday morning.
A British citizen and five Latvian nationals were arrested by Indian authorities after they dropped the weapons, while Holck – formerly known as Niels Christian Nielsen – escaped.
India first asked Denmark to extradite Holck in 2002. The government agreed, but two Danish courts rejected his extradition, saying he would be at risk of torture or other inhumane treatment in India. This led to strains in diplomatic relations between the two countries.
In June 2023, Denmark reconsidered the 2016 Indian extradition request and said the requirements of the Extradition Act had been met. (AP) NPK NPK