Sebastien Raoult was extradited today from Morocco to the U.S. in response to an extradition request from the U.S.
Raoult was indicted for alleged participation in ShinyHunters criminal activities. No other French nationals who were also indicted have been extradited, and the U.S. has not even sought their extradition. France repeatedly refused efforts by Raoult’s family and counsel to have the young Frenchman extradited to France to have him charged and tried there.
Raoult had been detained in Morocco since May 31 while his family and lawyer fought the extradition request. Their most recent attempt was an appeal to the Committee against Torture. The appeal was denied without explanation.
Raoult’s lawyer, Philippe Ohayon, sent the following statement to DataBreaches:
Sebastien Raoult has been extradited this afternoon.
We are going to ask for a parliamentary inquiry on the cooperation between the French and the United States. How is it possible that a French investigation is subject to a confidentiality clause? How is it possible that facts under French jurisdiction are offered to the American authorities? How is it possible that investigations on behalf of a country outside the European Union can concern facts committed in France by French citizens when judicial cooperation concerns the search for evidence abroad?
Those are all excellent questions.
Update of Jan. 26: DataBreaches contacted the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington last night (the district that indicted Raoult) to ask if there was any statement on their part. Their spokesperson responded:
No statement has been issued. It is the policy of the Department of Justice that any public statements occur when and if something is publicly filed in court.
Speaking generally, it is the practice in the Western District of Washington for a defendant to make an initial appearance after they have arrived in the district. Defendants who are in custody in the district by noon appear at 2:00. If the defendant arrives after Noon, he or she appears the next day at 2:00.
Raoult’s name does not appear on the docket for the courts, but perhaps he falls under the “new arrests” entry. DataBreaches will continue to follow developments in this case.