This news article is a production distributed through Caribbean News Service. It is made freely available to your media and we encourage publishing and redistribution, giving credit to Caribbean News Service (CNS).
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, Nov 29 2015 – Former FIFA vice president Austin “Jack” Warner, has filed an appeal challenging an extradition order issued by the United States, saying that it goes against the local extradition laws.
Warner, 72, expressed concern about his finances and the cost of the entire process.
“I am concerned that the amount of money it will take to defend myself in relation to these charges will drain all of my resources and leave me in a parlous financial state during my last years when I am found not guilty,” he said.
The former politician who appeared in the High Court also deemed illegal the go-ahead given by Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi to proceed with the extradition process.
According to documents supporting his application for leave, Warner said since the beginning of the process to have him face criminal prosecution in the US, he has had significant and persistent anxiety over the extradition process.
He said he has also read in various American and international publications that the bond arrangements for other persons accused of corruption related charges are extremely high.
Warner quoted reports from the Cayman Islands that Jeff Webb, a former president of football’s governing body in North America, Central America and the Caribbean (CONCACAF) president and FIFA vice president, was going “broke” in meeting his US$10 million bond and complying with his house arrest arrangements in New York, which are conditionality’s for his bail.
Webb has also been indicted on alleged racketeering, conspiracy and corruption.
Warner, who held positions as a minister in the last People’s Partnership government; chairman of the United National Congress; and political leader and chairman of the fledging Independent Liberal Party, withdrew from FIFA related activities in 2011.
Warner is scheduled to return to court on Wednesday, but this matter will be stayed pending the outcome of the determination of the judicial review application, which could take years if the case goes to Privy Council.
Warner was indicted in May by a US grand jury on 12 charges of wire fraud, racketeering and money laundering over an escalating scandal at FIFA.
