B.Khurts trial rescheduled

State Secretary of Justice G.Bayasgalan, explains the procedural challenges for releasing B.Khurts

The 5th trial for B. Khurts, Chief of the Office of National Security Council of Mongolia was held on January 5 at the hall of the Court of Magistrate of Westminster, London.

B. Khurts was arrested by workers of the British legal organization at Heathrow Airport, London on September 17, 2010 while he was on working trip to meet with officials of British National Security Council.

The British side explained that he is accused of the illegal trans-border abduction of a person from France in 2003, through the territories of Belgium and Germany by conducting illegal executive works. As such, he was detained based on a request by the German side in 2006. The German side requested his extradition to the German legal organization if he were to travel through EU countries.

From the evidence, Mongolia’s attorney Alan Jones said that B. Khurts should have immunity under the international convention which provides complete grounds to free him. At the trial, the attorney’s explanation and grounds were discussed and it was decided to hold another trial on February 3. The attorney filed a plea to bail B. Khurts with the court. A trial for discussing this issue was held on January 12, but B.Khurts was refused bail.

“The issue being discussed in the court is about extraditing B. Khurts to German side. After discussing the explanation made by Mongolian side, the next trial was rescheduled based on their consideration to discuss it accurately. According to the court trial process, one side files its explanation and grounds for debate. For example, the Mongolian side offered grounds that B. Khurts should be freed because he has immunity under the international convention. Following that, the British side should explain in turn. That day, the court was adjourned because it was unable to explain within that day,” said G. Bayasgalan, State Secretary of Justice and Internal Affairs Ministry.

Present at the trial were D.Tsogtbaatar, State Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ministry, B. Altangerel, Ambassador to UK, Ts. Bolor, specialduty ambassador and N. Bataa, consul and advisor to the Ambassador from the Mongolian side and an attorney representing UK’s Foreign Affairs and Commonwealth Ministry and legal advisors of the ministry from British side.

source: The Mongol Messenger newspaper