Anni Dewani's family say delay on extradition ruling is 'legal torture'

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/13/anni-dewani-family-delay-extradition-legal-torture

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The family of Anni Dewani, who was murdered in South Africa while on her honeymoon more than three years ago, said they were enduring "legal torture" as three high court judges reserved judgment on the latest attempt to prevent her husband being extradited.

Lawyers for Shrien Dewani, a businessman from Bristol, are continuing to argue that he should not be sent to South Africa because he is suffering from mental health issues including severe depression and post-traumatic stress disorder and is unfit to stand trial.

Members of Ms Dewani's family, who want him extradited as soon as possible, were present at the high court in London for the latest chapter of a long-running saga. After three judges, including the lord chief justice, Lord Thomas, said they would give their ruling in the new year, family members expressed their torment.

Ms Dewani's 25-year-old brother, Anish, said: "We are waiting for an outcome in January. Hopefully there will be a positive one. It is legal torture for us. We have been waiting for three years. Slowly we are getting there – hopefully."

Mr Dewani strongly denies any involvement in the murder of his wife, who was shot in a taxi in November 2010. Three men have been convicted over the killing but South African prosecutors want to put Mr Dewani on trial for allegedly arranging a hit on his new wife.

Mr Dewani's lawyers have stressed that he is willing to defend himself at trial once he is fit to do so. Clare Montgomery QC, for Mr Dewani, told the court on Friday: "He is presently unfit. He is likely to remain unfit for a period that cannot be foreseen with any accuracy."

One of the issues of this latest hearing was whether it would be "unjust and oppressive" to extradite Mr Dewani "regardless of the prognosis" of his mental condition.

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