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A golf club president fighting extradition to the US over illegal arms trading charges was entrapped by the “lies” of US customs officials, a court heard today.
Retired businessman Christopher Tappin, 63, from Orpington, has been accused by the American authorities of conspiring to sell parts for Iranian missiles.
He has vehemently denied that he attempted to sell batteries, acquired in the US, for surface-to-air missiles in Tehran. If convicted Tappin, the Kent County Golf Union president, faces a 35-year sentence.
City of Westminster magistrates heard Tappin is a victim of a “state-created crime” and the US sting operation would have been illegal in Britain. As his extradition hearing opened today, human rights campaigners from Liberty demonstrated outside the court. They called on the Government “to honour its election promises to review and restore fairness to the British system”.
In court Ben Cooper, defending, said US customs agents had used a bogus company, known as Mercury Global Enterprises, to ensnare Tappin into a deal carried out without licence or written government approval.
They sent paperwork to Tappin's Surrey-based business Brooklands International Freight Services stating “no licence required” and “this would not be a problem”, said Mr Cooper.
Agents also told Tappin his business associate Robert Gibson had been injured in a car crash when he had in fact been arrested.
“The agents specifically told lies to entrap Mr Tappin. There is strong and compelling evidence of entrapment,” said Mr Cooper. “It crossed the line of what may be deemed acceptable law enforcement tactics. This was a state-created crime and constituted conduct so seriously improper as to bring the administration of justice into disrepute.”
But Aaron Watkins, for the US government, described the defence submissions as “artificial and incorrect”. He told district judge John Zani: “I would invite you not to be distracted by what are essentially trial issues, not extradition issues,” he said.
The extradition hearing was adjourned until November.
Reader views (3)
Rogan --- that's precisely the problem. He won't be entitled to present evidence under the skewed extradition treaty which currently exists between the UK and US saying essentially, 'if the US says he did it, he's to be extradited there, regardless of whether there appear to be problems with the charges made.' The same does not, however apply in reverse. It's another case of American 'justice' failing to recognise any borders but their own.And there is no mention of 'arms dealing'; only trading in batteries which could be applied to arms systems (as well as, in all probability, many other things). Typical US criminalization of people for reasons of 'national security.' By the way, what is it that you love about entrapment (formerly also prohibited by US law)?
- Richard Eader, London, 03/09/2010 09:00
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Stephen C, London - and the proof it was an 'illegal' sting? The guy said he didn't do it and therefore everyone should consider him innocent? The prisons are full of people who also 'didn't do it', remember.
If the guy WAS involved in arms dealing - should he get away with it because some people like you don't like America?
How about waiting for the evidence to be presented before coming to a conclusion? That's what trials are all about.
- Rogan, Irving, 02/09/2010 20:26
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Can we please extradite these US Customs officials to the UK for trial for this illegal sting operation?
- Stephen C, London, 02/09/2010 16:13
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