Ireland Expected To Bind An Extradition Agreement With UAE
Ireland is expected to bind an extradition agreement with UAE that would support in trial of senior members of the Kinahan Organised Crime Group.
The mutual legal assistance via treaty would help bring black organised crime group back to Ireland and run their trial within Ireland.
One of the senior members of the Kinahan Group is in custody in Dubai, Sean McGovern and is expected to face extradition for a murder charge in Ireland.
The extradition agreement with UAE is anticipated for signing in Abu Dhabi with Minister of Justice, Helen McEntee next week. It would be done soon after negotiations with her Emirati counterpart.
Why criminals opt for Dubai
Dubai in the United Arab Emirates has been considered a safe spot for several wanted criminals and international drug dealers.
In 2016, Christy Sr, Daniel and Christopher Jr, the prominent leader of Kinahan Group fled from Costa del Sol after they got to know that they were going to face a potential extradition in Ireland. The extradition was planned with Spanish authorities’ investigation in collaboration with Gardai for the Hutch-Kinahan feud murders.
The senior members of the same organised group like Ian Dixon, John Morrissey, Sean McGovern and Bernard Clancy are also in Dubai to protect themselves.
Dubai is considered a magnet for crooks and criminals from all over the world due to its extravagant lifestyle, free-trade zones and better chances to strike lucrative deals. The deals are made mostly with other global most powerful criminals.
These opportunities give a massive power with a range of contacts that assist in money laundering. One of the biggest reasons for easy money laundering in Dubai is their “Hawala system”.
Based on this system, the criminals do not need to have a proper money trail and money can be easily transferred from anywhere in the world, no matter what the amount is.
The system is carried out effortlessly with the help of money brokers, commonly known as Hawaladars. They are the actual heroes of the entire system who transfer money between two parties on a trust basis. They use passcodes before the arrival of the amount and ensure that it is sent to the intended destination safely.
It is legal in Dubai for these Hawaldars to be licensed to enter this system without any legal hassles. The smoothness of such a banking system, and that too, in more than 30 free-trade zones has made Dubai the right place to be for the criminals.
A report released by American company The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, a firm known to be dedicated to the reduction of global conflict, indicated why Dubai’s system promotes criminal activity.
It said, “Dubai is a global financial centre, a shopper’s paradise and an oasis for the world’s well-to-do. While the vast majority of financial, business and real estate transactions in Dubai are not associated with illegal activity, part of what underpins Dubai’s prosperity is a steady stream of illicit proceeds borne from corruption and crime.”
The report further suggested that the region has not only been a hiding spot for the criminals but also their “base of operations” where the gangsters are comfortable carrying out their illicit activities without the fear of being caught.
Steps taken by US authorities
All of the members of Kinahan Group who are now residing in Dubai were subsequently sanctioned by the US authorities and a $5m award is set for anyone who offers information. The information would be valuable if it led to the final conviction of all three Kinahan members.
It was a major blow to the Kinahan Group members when Sean McGovern, the right-hand man of Daniel Kinahan, was arrested last Thursday on foot of an Interpol red notice. The transnational organised group had to face serious law enforcement consequences.
The 38-year-old is now in custody in Dubai, ready to face extradition. He is from Dublin, Ireland and is wanted for murder and directing the activities of the entire criminal gang.
Proceedings of the extradition agreement with UAE
In a cabinet meeting this morning, the Irish government will approve Mc McEntee’s signing of the bilateral agreement with UAE for mutual assistance and expected extradition.
The Department of Justice confirmed that after a year of negotiations and intensive engagement between the two governments, it has been decided that the minister and her counterpart Emirati Minister of Justice, His Excellency Abdullah Bin Sultan Bin Awad Al Nuaimi have agreed to the steps.
The Irish government declared that the extradition agreement with UAE would facilitate the effectiveness of cooperation so that fighting crime and capturing criminals within the two regions is made transparent.
The government said that it is taking “all necessary steps to dismantle organised crime, and the agreement of these bilateral treaties will be of significant support in tackling organised crime and transnational drug trafficking gangs”.
Tackling Kinahan Group
The development of an international partnership for handling a great gang, Kinahan Group, was done by the late Assistant Garda Commissioner John O’Driscoll and UAE.
Previously, other countries involved in the process of such developments were the US, UK, Spain, Netherlands, Australia and New Zealand which worked with gardai in tackling the Kinahan gang.
Gardai explained that they have worked hard to track the activities of the Kinahan Group and tried to find the trail of their senior members. They have made a substantial file while doing so, particularly keeping Daniel Kinahan as a highlight. The file has been submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
With greater chances of the go-ahead for Irish extradition agreements with UAE, it would be much easier to have the leaders of the Kinahan group face trial in Ireland if DPP decides the evidence in the file is sufficient. The evidence would help in decision-making about serious charges against the leader of the criminal group.
Besides, Gardai affirmed that there are other greater numbers of Irish criminals residing in Dubai who would be caught easily once they enter into extradition agreements.
A Donegal drug trafficker, who is a top target of the Criminal Assets Bureau, is now on the priority list by gardai.
FAQs
1. What is the purpose of the extradition agreement between Ireland and the UAE?
- The extradition agreement aims to facilitate the trial of senior members of the Kinahan Organised Crime Group in Ireland by allowing for their extradition from the UAE.
2. Who is Sean McGovern, and what are the charges against him?
- Sean McGovern is a senior member of the Kinahan Group currently in custody in Dubai. He faces charges of murder and is wanted for directing activities related to the criminal gang in Ireland.
3. When is the extradition agreement expected to be signed?
- The agreement is anticipated to be signed in Abu Dhabi next week between Ireland’s Minister of Justice, Helen McEntee, and her Emirati counterpart.
4. Why have members of the Kinahan Group fled to Dubai?
- Dubai is considered a safe haven for criminals due to its extravagant lifestyle, free-trade zones, and limited regulatory oversight, making it attractive for individuals involved in organized crime and money laundering.
5. What are some features of Dubai that attract criminals?
- Dubai offers an opulent lifestyle, lucrative business opportunities, and the Hawala system, which allows for easy money transfers without a formal paper trail. This system facilitates money laundering and supports illicit activities.