TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras: The Honduran Supreme Court has approved the extradition of Juan Orlando Hernndez to the U.S., where the former president will face drug trafficking and firearms possession charges.
The court’s decision to reject Hernndez’s appeal ratifies a 16th March decision by a Honduran judge to grant his extradition to the U.S.
In a statement, the court said it voted unanimously in favor of extradition on the first charge “regarding importing a controlled substance to the U.S.”
Most judges also voted to extradite him on two charges related to firearms possession.
Hernndez, who left office in January after eight years as president, will remain in custody until Honduran authorities coordinate with authorized U.S. agents, the statement said. He was arrested at his home on 15th February at the request of the U.S. government.
Federal prosecutors claimed he was bribed by an alleged drug trafficker to help deliver thousands of kilograms of cocaine to the U.S., an allegation his administration denied.
Hernandez’s brother, Tony Hernandez, is currently serving a life sentence in a U.S. federal prison for drug trafficking. According to court filings in that case, U.S. authorities claim the former president was a co-conspirator, funneling drug money to help fund his presidential campaigns.
Hernandez has denied the allegations.
