PUTRAJAYA: An Iranian businessman wanted by the United States (US) for allegedly smuggling military antennas to Hong Kong and Singapore, succeeded in his appeal at the Federal Court here yesterday to secure his release.
A five-member panel chaired by Court of Appeal president Tan Sri Md Raus Sharif issued a habeas corpus order for Amin Ravan’s release after overturning a high court’s dismissal of his application for his release. Amin, in his early 30’s, had filed a habeas corpus application at the high court to secure his release, following a sessions court decision to grant the home ministry’s application on Nov 25, last year to have him extradited to the United States
In his decision, Md Raus said the test in determining extradition offence under Section 6 of the Extradition Act 1992 was based on ‘offence to offence’ approach where offences committed in the country to which a person was to be extradited must correspond with offences in Malaysia.
The panel, also comprising Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri Richard Malanjum and Federal Court judges Tan Sri Hasan Lah, Datuk Zainun Ali and Tan Sri Jeffrey Tan Kok Wha were unanimous in their decision to allow Amin’s appeal.
In Oct 2012, Amin was arrested by Malaysian authorities, and the US sought to extradite him to face trial in a district court in Washington for allegedly plotting to export military antennas.
Amin’s counsel, Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah said his client, who was detained at the Sungai Buloh prison pending disposal of his appeal, would leave for Tehran, Iran tonight.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nazran Sham appeared for the ministry, Sungai Buloh Prison director and the public prosecutor. — Bernama