South Africa’s Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) has dismissed an appeal by former Monero lead maintainer Riccardo Spagni seeking to have his extradition from the United States to South Africa declared illegal. In its ruling, the Supreme Court of Appeals argued that Spagni failed to adequately plead the invalidity of the extradition process.
Spani challenged the extradition process
A South African court has rejected an attempt by former Monero developer Riccardo Spagni to find his extradition from the United States to South Africa illegal, localreports. In its ruling, the court argued that the validity of the extradition process could not be challenged because Spagni had legal representation when he voluntarily waived his rights during the extradition hearing.
As Bitcoin.com News previously reported in July 2022, Spagni initially resisted extradition attempts, but eventually agreed to return to South Africa on the condition that his “release on warning is not revoked and must be revoked by the state.” This then paved the way for Spani’s transfer from U.S. custody to South African law enforcement.
However, News 24 reports that prior to his departure for South Africa, Spagni had filed a lawsuit with the SCA challenging the Western Cape High Court’s handling of his extradition hearing. In the suit, which was initially dismissed, the former Monero developer argued that the extradition request should not have been filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Spany’s moot argument
In response, the Director of Public Prosecutions reportedly suggested that Spagni’s argument became moot after the case was transferred to South African authorities.
“Because it has no practical effect, the appellant has decided that this court could not make a case to determine the validity of his extradition proceedings. Therefore, this appeal was dismissed on mootness alone,” the SCA’s summary of the decision reported.
Meanwhile, it was also indicated that Spani’s case will now be continued in the District Judge’s Court in Cape Town.
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