The UAE has handed over alleged drug kingpin Daniel Kinahan to Irish authorities following an extradition process. Abdullah Al Nuaimi, the UAE's Minister of Justice, confirmed the decision on Sunday.
Kinahan faces charges related to organised crime, including leading a criminal organisation, murder and drug trafficking. Reports in Irish media said an Irish government plane was sent to Dubai to take custody of Kinahan, whose organisation is said to be worth more than $1 billion, and return him to Dublin.
The extradition followed a ruling by the Dubai Court of Cassation and was carried out under the extradition treaty between the UAE and Ireland, Wam said.
Mr Al Nuaimi and his Irish counterpart, Jim O'Callaghan, discussed the case in a phone call and welcomed the extradition as a sign of strengthened judicial co-operation between the two countries.
The ministers said the decision demonstrated their commitment to the rule of law and co-operation in combating transnational organised crime, adding that serious offenders should have no safe haven from justice.
Mr O'Callaghan thanked UAE authorities for their efforts in the extradition process and praised the work of the country's judicial authorities.
Arrest in April
Kinahan and his organisation were publicly identified and placed under sanctions by the US in 2022, but no arrest warrant was issued until April 15.
His arrest on April 17, made by Dubai Police in co-operation with the Ministry of Interior, came as part of the UAE's efforts to tackle organised crime and pursue internationally wanted suspects.
After Kinahan's detention, Ireland's Prime Minister Micheal Martin thanked the UAE for its co-operation, telling Irish media that the arrest confirms “the strong relationship with the United Arab Emirates in terms of extradition arrangements”.
Last year, Sean McGovern became the first of Kinahan's alleged associates to be extradited from the UAE. In June this year, he was sentenced to 24 years in prison at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin after pleading guilty to two charges of directing the activities of a criminal organisation.
