A convicted Latvian paedophile will be extradited to his home country after a judge rejected his claims that jail time in his native land would breach his human rights.
Kaspars Botters abused a girl under the age of 16 on five occasions from 2009 to 2014 in Latvia.
The 39-year-old, then came to the UK but was arrested in Nottingham after a conviction warrant was issued by authorities in his home country.
Botters appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court today wearing a blue T-shirt and a navy jumper, while being aided by a Latvian interpreter.
Shyan MacTavish, defending, previously said there was a ‘high risk’ the sex offender would be subjected to ‘intimidation’ and ‘extortion’ by inmates in the Balkan country.
Explaining how prison hierarchy was ‘deeply embedded’ in Latvian penitentiaries, she argued Botters would have ‘a lack of protection’, because he would be in the lowest of three castes.
She also said his extradition could lead to a breach of rights under Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), which guarantees the ‘right to be free from torture, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.’
‘Mr Botters faces potential violence by fellow prisoners in Latvia. It is an issue that permeates throughout the prison system there,’ Ms MacTavish said.
‘Latvia has a prison hierarchy which seems to be deeply embedded in every aspect of prison life. Latvia has also been using the practice of informal prison leaders.
‘Every inmate in Latvia must belong to one of three castes. Mr Botters will be placed in the lowest caste. There would be a lack of protection for him.
‘Latvian authorities seem to be facilitating this system by encouraging prisoners to be placed in castes.
‘This court gave the Latvian authorities the opportunity to address that, but only a generic response was given.’
District Judge Briony Clarke rejected the argument Botters’ extradition would breach his human rights.
‘You have the right to challenge this decision. If you wish to do so you have the right to appeal within the next seven days,’ she said.
‘You will be extradited ten days after if he does not appeal’.
Harry Perkin, for the Latvian government, applied for the paedophile to pay costs of £1,050.
However, Ms MacTavish argued he shouldn’t have to pay as he had been in custody for ‘some time’.
‘When the time comes for your removal, it is important that you co-operate.’
