Joint Media Release
10 May 2003
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alexander Downe and the Minister for Justice and Customs, Sen. Chris Ellison
People smuggler likely to face charges in Australia
We welcome the news that the Thai Court of Appeal today refused the appeal by alleged people smuggler, Hasan Ayoub, against his extradition to Australia.
We have requested Ayoub’s extradition from Thailand. Ayoub, a Pakistani national, is wanted to face 13 charges under the Migration Act for his alleged people smuggling activities.
The charges relate to Ayoub’s alleged involvement in organising two boatloads of illegal immigrants to Australia in March and April 2001. If convicted, Ayoub could face up to 20 years imprisonment.
The appeal was the last legal barrier to Ayoub’s extradition. His extradition to Australia is now pending formal notification from the Thai authorities and we anticipate the Government will be notified within the next few weeks.
We are grateful for the cooperation of the Thai authorities in this matter. It comes close on the heels of Thailand’s excellent cooperation in the recent extradition to Australia of alleged people smuggler, Ali Al Jenabi.
We continue to take action against people smugglers and will seek their extradition to face justice in Australia wherever possible.
We greatly appreciate the prominent role Thailand plays in the region to promote more effective cooperation to combat people smuggling.
At the recently-concluded second Regional Ministerial Conference on People Smuggling, Trafficking in Persons and Related Transnational Crime held in Bali, Thailand’s plan of action to promote practical cooperative measures to combat people smuggling was endorsed by Ministers. Thailand has agreed to continue to coordinate this work.
Contacts: Chris Kenny (02) 6277 7500, Mairi Barton (02) 6277 7260 or 0429 300 335 (Senator Ellison)