Danish Court Rejects India's Extradition Request Over Human Rights Concerns

A Danish court has denied India's request to extradite Niels Holck, wanted for a 1995 weapons smuggling case. The decision cited potential human rights breaches. India wants Holck tried for supplying arms to a West Bengal rebel group. The ruling is set to be appealed by Danish prosecutors.

A Danish court announced on Thursday that it had rejected India's request for the extradition of Danish national Niels Holck, citing the potential risk of human rights violations. Holck is wanted in India in connection with a 1995 weapons smuggling case.

The Danish prosecution authority, which had nominated Holck for extradition last year, stated on Friday that it plans to appeal the court's decision. The ruling indicated that sending Holck to India could violate Denmark's extradition act, as it might result in treatment that breaches the European Convention on Human Rights.

Defence lawyer Jonas Christoffersen told Reuters, "The guarantees India has provided are not valid. It's been six years of negotiating the conditions between the public prosecutor and India. Now the court says that his safety can't be guaranteed." Holck, previously known as Kim Davy, had admitted in a Danish court to being involved in the smuggling operation.

(With inputs from agencies.)