Supreme Tribunal (TSJ) rejects extradition of Basque resident in Venezuela

<a href=www.vheadline.com>Venezuela's Electronic News Posted: Friday, May 16, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

The Basque community resident in Venezuela has finally got one over on the Spanish government ... the Supreme Tribunal of Justice (TSJ)  has ruled against extraditing Luis Manuel Ollade Quintanilla and has ordered his immediate release. 

• According to Spanish Premier Jose Maria Aznar's government, Ollade Quintanilla is wanted on charges connected with the Basque separatist movement ETA. 

However, the accused arrived in Venezuela during the 80s and ishere legally after an agreement between then Venezuelan President Carlos Andres Perez and the then Spanish Prime Minister Felipe Gonzalez.

The Venezuelan Interior & Justice (MIJ) Ministry had notified the Spanish government about Ollade Quintanilla's arrest but Spanish authorities failed to dispatch necessary papers indicating the suspect's legal status.

The TSJ ruled that in view of the Spanish government's failure, there were no grounds for Ollade Quintanilla's extradition and ordered his release.