Shrien Dewani Loses Bid Against Extradition To South Africa In Honeymoon Murder Case

Shrien Dewani Loses Extradition Battle Over Honeymoon Murder Case
File photo dated 24/1/2011 of Shrien Dewani as lawyers acting for the honeymoon murder suspect Shrien Dewani return to court today in the latest round of a legal battle against extradition.
File photo dated 24/1/2011 of Shrien Dewani as lawyers acting for the honeymoon murder suspect Shrien Dewani return to court today in the latest round of a legal battle against extradition.
Yui Mok/PA Wire

Honeymoon murder suspect Shrien Dewani has lost his High Court bid to block his extradition to South Africa until he is fit to stand trial.

A panel of three judges ruled on Friday that it would not be "unjust and oppressive" to extradite him if an undertaking was given by the South African government relating to how long he would be kept in the country without trial.

The court heard that the government indicated it was willing to give that undertaking.

Dewani, from Bristol, has been fighting removal from the UK to face proceedings over wife Anni's death until he has recovered from mental health problems, including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Dewani, who is compulsorily detained in hospital under the Mental Health Act, is accused of ordering the killing of his new wife Anni, 28, who was shot as the couple travelled in a taxi on the outskirts of Cape Town in November 2010.

His lawyers have stressed at various hearings that he will be willing to defend himself at trial once he is fit to do so, but they say he is unfit to plead under English law and his "prognosis is not certain".

A lawyer for the South African government said it was "delighted" with the court's ruling and expected it would be able to give the undertaking, but needed 14 days "for final clarification".

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