Del Papa protests extradition policy

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Thursday, Jan. 17, 2002 | 9:46 a.m.

SUN CAPITAL BUREAU

CARSON CITY -- Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa has joined 28 other states in protesting extradition practices by Mexico, which does not extradite a criminal suspect to the United States if the person faces a life term in prison without possibility of parole.

"The present state of affairs is unacceptable and is contrary to Nevada's goal of punishing serious acts, including terrorism, by the state's toughest penalties," Del Papa said.

She said the Mexican Supreme Court ruled recently that a person facing extradition from that country to the United States would not be returned, because Mexico doesn't provide for life terms without the possibility of parole.

Del Papa said also Mexico does not have the death penalty and a person who fights extradition would not be sent back in a capital punishment case, either.

The whole extradition procedure, she said, must be reviewed. The letter by Del Papa and 28 attorneys general was sent to U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell and Attorney General John Ashcroft.