The mother of Otto Warmbier, an American who died shortly after being tortured in North Korean custody, predicts former U.S. Marine Christopher Ahn will be killed if he is extradited to Spain.
Cindy Warmbier testified before the federal court in Los Angeles last week, reported Fox News.
“I know now they will kill Christopher Ahn. I don’t know Christopher Ahn, but in my book … he’s a hero,” Warmbier said.
According to Buzz Feed News, Ahn participated in an effort to a North Korean diplomat in Spain to defect. A group plotted to disguise the defection as a kidnapping to protect the diplomat’s family from retaliation. However, they say the diplomat got cold feet and called off the plan.
Ahn now faces charges of charges of illegal entry, assault, illegal confinement, and being part of a criminal organization. Spain is now moving to try to extradite Ahn from California back to Spain to face charges.
Warmbier pleaded with Federal Judge Jean P. Rosenbluth to rule against the extradition.
“I need a strong woman who understands what I went through to stand up to North Korea. Otto was a beautiful boy. He was an incredible son. I had no idea what North Korea was about. I wish I had known,” she said. “They took the most beautiful boy and destroyed him.”
However the State Department is arguing the extradition should not be denied on humanitarian ground saying treaty obligations mandated that Ahn be extradited. It also argues North Korea has nothing to do with these proceedings.
“Spain and all of our treaty partners must have confidence that the United States will adhere to the law when they submit a valid extradition request. The United States expects the same in the reciprocal context.”
A decision is expected in the next few weeks.
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They cannot extradite him on the premise that North Korea is an abomination to humanity. If we send this boy back to Spain, we will be validating North Korea as a country and not a human concentration camp run by a mentally sick dictator that thinks he is Jesus.