TEGUCIGALPA, HONDURAS (AP) – Former President Juan Orlando Hernández should be extradited to the United States (US) to face drug trafficking and weapons charges, a Honduran judge ruled on Wednesday.
The country’s Supreme Court of Justice said on Wednesday via Twitter that the judge decided to grant the US extradition request.
US prosecutors in the Southern District of New York accused Hernández in recent years of funding his political rise with profits from drug traffickers in exchange for protecting their shipments. He strongly denied any wrongdoing.
Former first lady Ana García told local journalists while leaving the court that she was confident the truth would eventually come out and her husband be exonerated.
Before the decision was announced, court spokesman Melvin Duarte said during a hearing earlier in the day, Hernández addressed the court. “In general terms he argued about the motives that have led to this extradition process against him, which he and his wife have said publicly,” Duarte said.
Hernández maintained that statements against him have been made by drug traffickers extradited by his government who wanted to seek revenge against him. He denies having any ties to drug traffickers.
He will have an opportunity to appeal the extradition decision.
During the hearing, the judge presented a document sent by the the US Justice Department through the US Embassy in Tegucigalpa that laid out the charges against Hernández.
Hernández’s lawyers also presented at least 20 pieces of evidence in his defence.
Hernández left office in January at the conclusion of his second term.
He was arrested at his home on February 15 at the request of the US government.