Honduran judge approves ex-president Hernandez’s extradition to US on drug charges

Issued on: 17/03/2022 – 05:20

The choice was declared on the Twitter account of the Central American country’s judicial authority.

Juez de Primera Instancia otorga la solicitud de Extradición que involucra a el Ex Presidente Hernández Alvarado. pic.twitter.com/SSdXBHs9ob

— Poder Judicial HN (@PJdeHonduras) March 17, 2022

“We are going to file an appeal to try out to steer clear of extradition,” Felix Avila, a defense attorney for Hernandez, instructed journalists outside the courtroom.

U.S. authorities billed that the ideal-wing previous chief participated in a drug-trafficking scheme concerning 2004 and 2022. Hernandez, 53, is also accused of accepting millions of dollars in bribes to shield drug traffickers from investigation and prosecution, and carrying, working with, or aiding and abetting the use of weapons.

Hernandez, who was changed as president in January by leftist Xiomara Castro after 8 years in workplace, has denied any wrongdoing.

He has been in custody because mid-February when he was arrested just after a remarkable stake-out that noticed him holed up in his household surrounded by police. He emerged hrs later on, pledging to cooperate with authorities.

(REUTERS)