24 July 2013
Last updated at 06:27 ET
Honeymoon murder suspect Shrien Dewani will be extradited to South Africa to face trial over his wife’s death.
Mr Dewani, from Bristol, is accused of plotting to kill Anni Dewani, 28, who was shot in the head on the outskirts of Cape Town in November 2010.
Chief magistrate Howard Riddle ruled at Westminster Magistrates’ Court that Mr Dewani should return to the country.
In a statement, Mr Dewani’s family said his lawyers would be lodging an appeal.
His defence team had argued that he could suffer setbacks in his mental health if sent back now, and that the decision should be delayed by six months.
District Judge Riddle said: “It is not in question that Shrien Dewani will be returned to South Africa. The treating clinicians continue to state that Mr Dewani will recover.
“There has been recovery, but it has been slow. It may be a long time before Mr Dewani is fit to plead, but he may be closer to that point.
“It is not impossible that if returned now, then after a reasonable period of further treatment and assessment he will be found fit to plead and a trial can take place.”
‘Committed to returning’
Mr Dewani, a 33-year-old former businessman, has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and depression and is receiving treatment at a hospital near Bristol.
A spokesman for his family said lawyers would review the judgment and lodge an appeal, during which time Mr Dewani would remain in the UK.
“Shrien Dewani remains unfit to be extradited or to face trial,” said the spokesman.
“Shrien remains committed to returning to South Africa when his health would permit a full trial and when appropriate protections are in place for his health and safety.
“The legal process is ongoing so it would be inappropriate to comment further.”
The hearing was attended by members of Mrs Dewani’s family, who wore photographs of her pinned to their clothes, decorated with pink ribbons.
Speaking outside court, her older sister, Ami Denborg, said they were satisfied with the decision.
“We will fight this battle to the end and this battle has just begun,” she added.
‘Hired hitman’
Mrs Dewani was travelling through the Gugulethu township in a taxi with her new husband when they were kidnapped at gunpoint.
Mr Dewani was released unharmed, but the next day the body of Mrs Dewani was found on the back seat of the car in Lingelethu West, with injuries to her head and chest.
Last year, South African Xolile Mngeni was convicted of premeditated murder for shooting Mrs Dewani.
Prosecutors claimed that he was a hitman hired by Mr Dewani to kill his wife, something that Mr Dewani has consistently denied.
The couple’s taxi driver Zola Tongo was jailed for 18 years after he admitted his part in the killing, and another accomplice, Mziwamadoda Qwabe, also pleaded guilty to murder and was handed a 25-year prison sentence.
