In regard to the Zamal Réunion-Maurice traffic, Franklin has been extradited by MK 238 to St-Denis, Reunion at at around 7 pm yesterday. As soon as he arrived at the airport, he was transferred to Domenjod prison. He was expected to appear before the St-Denis court. As to the question of whether Franklin will be entitled to a retrial or not, his lawyers say they have no indication from the Reunion authorities at this stage.
A prosecutor and a team of policemen from Réunion island were in Mauritius on Tuesday to ensure the prisoner’s transfer. The Rivière Noire resident was escorted by Passport and Immigration Office officers and police from Melrose prison to the airport, where he was handed over.
Jean Hubert Célerine was sentenced to 7 years’ imprisonment on a drug trafficking charge in Reunion Island on July 2, 2021. In a judgment handed down on January 12, 2024, Magistrate Shavina Jugnauth ordered Franklin’s extradition. The accused lodged an appeal against this decision but a few months later, Jean Hubert Célerine reversed his decision and consented to his extradition.
