Sundar Nagarajan Extradition: US Terrorist Financing and Hezbollah Allegations

George Hepburne-Scott represented Sundar Nagarajan in extradition proceedings brought by the United States following allegations arising from an international sanctions-evasion and terrorist-financing investigation linked to alleged Hezbollah financier Nazem Ahmad.

The US Extradition Request

Sundar Nagarajan was arrested in London in April 2023 following an extradition request from the United States. The proceedings formed part of a wider international investigation concerning allegations of sanctions evasion and terrorist financing connected with Nazem Ahmad, whom the US and UK authorities had designated in connection with alleged financial support for Hezbollah.

The US Department of Justice announced charges against Ahmad and eight associates, alleging a scheme designed to evade sanctions through transactions involving, among other things, art and diamonds. The US authorities sought Nagarajan's extradition from the United Kingdom in connection with the case.

Nagarajan subsequently appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court, where George Hepburne-Scott represented him in the extradition proceedings as sole counsel.

Article 3 ECHR and Dual Criminality

The extradition proceedings raised issues including Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights and dual criminality under the Extradition Act 2003.

At an early hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court, it was reported that George Hepburne-Scott indicated that the extradition request would be contested on the basis of prison conditions and Article 3 ECHR, as well as dual criminality. The case therefore involved both human rights considerations and questions concerning whether the alleged conduct satisfied the requirements of UK extradition law.

International Terrorist Financing and Sanctions Investigation

The extradition request arose against the background of a significant international investigation involving authorities in the United States and United Kingdom. In April 2023, the US Department of Justice announced charges against Nazem Ahmad and eight associates, alleging that they had participated in a scheme to evade US sanctions imposed on Ahmad.

The UK Government also imposed sanctions on Ahmad under its domestic counter-terrorism regime, describing him as a suspected Hezbollah financier. The allegations concerned an international network and transactions involving high-value assets including art and diamonds.

The proceedings against Nagarajan consequently formed part of a much wider international enforcement action involving extradition, sanctions and alleged terrorist financing.

Outcome of the Extradition Proceedings

In December 2023, Nagarajan consented to his extradition to the United States and was subsequently extradited. The contested extradition proceedings therefore concluded without the court determining the substantive challenges that had been identified earlier in the case.

Representation by George Hepburne-Scott

George Hepburne-Scott acted as sole counsel for Sundar Nagarajan in the UK extradition proceedings, working with Magdalena Motyl of Bark & Co Solicitors. The case involved a United States extradition request arising from a complex international investigation, with issues concerning Article 3 ECHR, dual criminality, sanctions and alleged terrorist financing.

Throughout the proceedings, George Hepburne-Scott also worked closely with Nagarajan's lawyers in the United States and Belgium, coordinating aspects of the defence across the different jurisdictions involved in the case.

The case forms part of his wider practice representing requested persons in complex and high-profile extradition proceedings, including cases involving the United States and other jurisdictions outside Europe.