Agency details from AFP-Direct.
A retired British businessman will be extradited to the United States by the end of the month, where he will face charges of conspiring to sell missile parts to Iran.
Christopher Tappin, 64, of Orpington, south-east London lost his final appeal at the European Court of Human Rights on Monday.
He denies attempting to export batteries for surface-to-air missiles from the United States to Tehran, via the Netherlands.
After a lengthy battle against transfer to the United States, where he could face 35 years in jail if convicted, a date for extradition has now been set. Tappin has been ordered to meet US marshals at Heathrow police station on 24 February, who will then escort him to America, his lawyer told the press today.
Tappin’s lawyer added: “We urge this government to intervene in this travesty of justice and at least seek reassurances that Mr Tappin will be granted bail upon arrival to the US.”
Tappin has always claimed he was caught up in a US customs sting. He believed he was exporting batteries for the car industry in the Netherlands, although US authorities say he also told customs officials his shipments were destined for an oil company in Norway.
