Brits will also be extradited over Tokyo jewelry heist

Two British males accused of robbing a luxurious jewelry retailer in Tokyo will also be despatched to Japan following a landmark ruling.

For nearly a decade, Japanese government have pursued the extradition of Kaine Wright, 28, Joe Chappell, 38, and a 3rd guy over allegations they posed as consumers to scouse borrow pieces value £679,000 (¥106m) from a Harry Winston retailer.

On Friday, leader Justice of the Peace Judge Goldspring rejected Wright and Chappell’s demanding situations in opposition to extradition. Their case now passes to the house secretary to come to a decision whether or not they must be despatched to Japan.

No extradition treaty exists between the United Kingdom and Japan, that means it will be the first time Japan have effectively gained fugitives.

Japan’s preliminary request was once rejected, however the High Court overturned the unique resolution following an attraction lodged by means of the Japanese executive.

In Friday’s judgement – observed by means of the BBC – Wright, of Plumstead, and Chappell, of Belvedere, each in London, had raised issues over jail prerequisites in Japan which they argued have been “arbitrary, excessive and breach international standards”.

The Japanese executive mentioned the submissions have been “fundamentally flawed both legally and factually”.

District Judge Goldspring, leader Justice of the Peace of England and Wales, discovered there was once a “prima facie case” – sufficient proof to improve a price in the beginning look – in opposition to Chappell and that extradition can be “compatible” along with his and Wright’s human rights.

Friday’s ruling follows a up to date High Court judgement that the Japanese executive had a case to extradite Wright, Chappell and a 3rd guy named in papers as Daniel Kelly – who’s Wright’s father.

Japan’s case in opposition to Kelly shall be heard on the finish of this month. He has no longer seemed in earlier extradition hearings because of a conspiracy to homicide case in opposition to him taking priority.

Details from January’s High Court judgement state that the Japanese “relied upon a range of evidence” which demonstrated that Kelly, Wright and Chappell travelled to Tokyo across the time of the jewelry raid in November 2015.

CCTV captured all 3 arriving at Narita International Airport on 18 November 2015 and staying at “the Elm Share House”, Japanese government mentioned.

Ch Insp Suzuki set out a report of the investigation to the High Court which indicated the trio “took taxis” to Harry Winston’s department in Omotesando Hills.

In their efforts to flee, the trio left various pieces in the back of together with an Armani jacket, he mentioned.

Ch Insp Suzuki added: “Goggles were left at the shop and a jacket was left on the route the robbers took to flee from the scene.”

A professor on the Tokyo Dental College when compared ePassport photographs taken at Narita Airport and when compared it to CCTV stills of 3 males taken on the Harry Winston retailer.

“The possibility that two (or three) persons in the relevant comparison are the same is extremely high,” Ch Insp Suzuki mentioned in his record, mentioning the professor’s “expert” findings.

As neatly as different DNA suits, Ch Insp Suzuki’s record referred to “expert evidence that glass shards found at the property where the three stayed that matched the glass in the display case at the jewellery shop”.

Findings within the studies have been challenged on the High Court by means of legal professionals representing Wright and Chappell.

The Japanese executive mentioned it will make sure that the 3 males would have the suitable to talk over with a legal professional in personal, have any interviews recorded and feature the suitable no longer to respond to any questions.

Wright, as soon as a promising footballer at the books of West Ham United and Brentford, served time in jail after being convicted in 2023 of looking to promote a Ming vase which was once stolen from a museum in Switzerland.

Subject to to any extent further appeals, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper now has 28 days to come to a decision whether or not to extradite Chappell and Wright or reject Japan’s request.