Yesterday, DataBreaches reported that counsel for an alleged member of ShinyHunters had filed an appeal with the Committee on Torture, asking them to suspend the extradition of Sebastien Raoult by Morocco to the U.S. Because Morocco is a signatory to the convention against torture, the committee has the authority to suspend or prohibit an extradition.
Morocco, it seems, has a history of not considering whether extradition would place an individual at risk of torture or inhumane or degrading treatment and the Committee has suspended extraditions in the past for that reason. Raoult’s lawyer, Philippe Ohayon, presented evidence to the committee showing how Morocco had relied upon false claims that the crimes were committed on U.S. soil and in any event, had not considered the risk to Raoult. Significantly, there has been no assurance or guarantee that if Raoult were to be convicted and sentenced to 116 years (based on adding up possible sentences for the counts he is charged with), that there is the possibility of getting out earlier. Without such guarantee, this is a life sentence without possibility of less time and unacceptable under the convention.
Today, Ohayon filed emergency letters with Mr. Dupond-Moretti, Keeper of the Seals (Minister of Justice) and Mrs. Catherine Colonna, Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs. The letters explain that Raoult’s father has been informed that his son has been placed in isolation in Morocco, and they fear that Morocco is preparing to extradite him quickly to the U.S. before the Committee on Torture can consider the appeal. Ohayon urges the French officials to urge Morocco NOT to extradite Raoult until the Committee on Torture can consider the situation. Because France is also a signatory to the convention, they have jurisdiction to get involved in this way. Will they, though?