EXTRADITION OF ALLEGED KIDNAPPER DELAYED
Maputo, 10 Jan (AIM) – Extradition proceedings began against alleged kidnapping mastermind Esmael (Rico) Nangy, on Monday, in the magistrate’s court at Tembisa, in South Africa, but were quickly adjourned until 16 January.
The prosecution opposed granting any bail for Nangy, because of the seriousness of the accusations he is facing.
The court was told that the Mozambican authorities issued a warrant for Nangy’s arrest on 18 July last year. The delay in the court hearing will allow the South African prosecutors to coordinate the extradition proceedings with their Mozambican counterparts.
Apparently, the prosecutor dealing with the case has not received from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions details of the charges against Nandy.
Nangy’s lawyer, Calvin Maille, protested his client’s innocence. He told reporters that Nangy is a well-known businessman in the transport area and has permanent South African resident status. He has no criminal record, said Maille, and is not a suspect in any other cases.
“He purchased a property in South Africa in 2016, and is a permanent resident in this country”, he added.
A police source in Maputo, cited in Tuesday’s issue of the independent newssheet “Carta de Mocambique”, said that Nangy is a suspect in a kidnapping case that occurred in Maputo last year. A vehicle owned by Nangy was seized because of its similarity with a vehicle caught on surveillance cameras at the site of the kidnapping. Since then, a driver and a mechanic employed by Nangy have been under police custody in Maputo.
A source in Nangy’s family told reporters he will fight against extradition to Maputo. This source said the firearm found in Nangy’s possession is properly licensed, and that the various mobile phones seized by the police belong to his children.
(AIM)
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