Dutch Gov’t Have No Right to Enter Sierra Leone to Arrest Anyone – Alpha Khan Warns on Sovereignty Concerns
By S.B Amara
Presidential Spokesman Alpha Khan has stated that President Julius Maada Bio is fully aware of allegations linking Sierra Leone to a vessel reportedly intercepted in Spain over suspected cocaine trafficking.
Speaking on the matter, Khan said President Bio promptly ordered an investigation into the claims. He noted that the outcome of the investigation indicated that the vessel in question did not load cocaine from Sierra Leone.
Addressing reports published by Telegraph News concerning an alleged attempted arrest of Bolle Jos by Dutch authorities, Khan said there were inconsistencies regarding the authority said to have been granted to the Dutch Government. He emphasized that no foreign authority has the legal right to enter another sovereign state to carry out arrests without following established international legal procedures.
“The Dutch Government does not have the right to enter Sierra Leone to arrest anyone. That would be illegal, and that is why the former Prime Minister of the Netherlands did not permit such an action,” Khan stated.
He further explained that international law provides clear diplomatic and judicial procedures for extradition or the arrest of suspects located in foreign jurisdictions.
Khan maintained that if Dutch authorities had entered Sierra Leone without the knowledge or consent of the Government, such an action would constitute a serious violation of national sovereignty and would not be taken lightly by the state.
