Working for a world where every person's right to a fair trial is respected, whatever their nationality, wherever they are accused

Michael Turner - Hungary

“It’s very bewildering when you are given to a foreign country and they deny you something that you think is your right, like a phone call home..." Michael Turner

Last updated: 21 July 2011

Young man extradited and imprisoned although the case was not ready for prosecution

Hungarian authorities sought the extradition of Michael Turner, a young British national from Dorset, and business partner Jason McGoldrick following the failure of their business venture in Budapest. Michael was extradited to Hungary under a European Arrest Warrant on 2 November 2009 and was held in a high security prison for four months, during which time he was interviewed only once by police. He was released from jail on Friday 26th February 2010 and was allowed to return to the UK.

The European Arrest Warrant was intended to be used explicitly to extradite people to serve a prison sentence or for the purposes of a criminal prosecution but in Michael’s case, an extradition took place even though no decision had yet been made to prosecute him. It is hoped that the investigation will be closed and that Michael will be able to start re-build his life. While the investigation continues, Michael must bear the costs and disruption of repeated trips to Budapest in order to cooperate.
 

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