WANTED: CRIMINALS WHO DID NOT PAY FOR DESSERT

Jacek Jasolski facing extradition to Poland for going over his overdraft limit

DAILY MAIL - JAMES SLACK

British police were forced to pursue an astonishing 2,400 people last year accused by Polish authorities of offences such as exceeding their overdraft limit or not paying for a dessert. The controversial European Arrest Warrant forces our officers to spend resources tracing suspects accused of even the most trivial offences.

The agreement leaves the British authorities almost powerless to turn down requests from our EU neighbours.Cases include the alleged theft of a chocolate bar. In another, Jacek Jaskloski, a Polish schoolteacher and grandfather who now lives in Bristol, is being sought for alleged ‘theft’ in Poland. His ‘crime’ was to withdraw money – ten years ago – which the Poles say took him over his agreed overdraft limit. He was arrested in July and is fighting extradition.

Analysis by campaign group Fair Trials International has revealed the extraordinary pressure the EAW is placing on our already over-stretched police.

Fair Trials International said the Home Office – which is reviewing extradition laws – said there was a need for far greater balance. It called for a proportionality test to combat the use of extradition in the most minor cases, such as stealing a dessert or going over an overdraft limit.

Jago Russell, FTI’s chief executive, said: ‘Ordinary people – teachers, firemen, chefs and students – have seen their lives and futures blighted by this “no questions asked” system that has failed to safeguard their basic rights.’