What if the 'evidence' is factual?

The Editor,
Sir:

Not surprisingly, at least to a majority Jamaicans, the prime minister has decided not to honour the extradition request made by the USA for the reputed strongman of Tivoli Gardens, Christopher Coke.

The reason given, by the prime minister, for the non-compliance with the request, is that some of the evidence, specifically wiretapped evidence, obtained against Coke was garnered in violation of the Jamaican Constitution. The debate, so far, has been whether it was the prerogative of the prime minister or the Jamaican courts to decide the question regarding the admissibility of the evidence in a court of law.

The debate has failed to discuss one important issue which is: are the allegations of drug and gunrunning, whether obtained by illegal or other means, provable by the evidence presented? Because if these allegations are in fact supported by the evidence, then our government should not expend our country's capital and reputation in protecting Coke from prosecution.

I am, etc.,

PERCIVAL A. CLARKE

percivalclarke@hotmail.com

Rosehall, St James