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European Court of Human Rights Turns Down Einhorn Appeal

Aired July 19, 2001 - 10:18   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: We're just now getting this developing news to the CNN Center from overseas. Joining us now on the phone is our Paris bureau chief, Peter Humi, with the latest on the situation with Ira Einhorn, who is in the process of being extradited back to the United States.

Peter, what's the latest development on this case.

PETER HUMI, PARIS BUREAU CHIEF: Let me bring you right up to date. The Einhorn defense team, made up of French lawyers, of course, brought his appeal against the extradition to the European Court of Human Rights, in Strasbourg, and the court has just announced it's findings, after having studied the case for a few days now. They say there is no reason why Einhorn cannot be extradited.

They're giving the green light to extradition, but according to Einhorn's lawyers, on the condition that France does get guarantees from authorities in Pennsylvania -- which is where Einhorn would eventually face trial; he is accused of murder -- that he would stand a new trial there and that he would not face the death penalty.

Now, authorities in Pennsylvania have, in fact, indicated that he would stand trial, but the Court of Human Rights, in Strasbourg, wants to see it in black and white.

So the extradition itself is likely to happen. It's not likely to happen within the next day or so, but the Court of Human Rights, in Strasbourg, has given until early August or so to get these guarantees in writing from authorities in Philadelphia. At that point, Ira Einhorn could find himself on the plane heading back towards Philadelphia and facing trial for a murder that took place in that city way back in 1977.

Back to you.

HAYNES: Thank you very much, Peter Humi, reporting live for us, from Paris.

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