U.S. Rep. Objects To Former Lithuanian Judge's Extradition

CHICAGO, IL — The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois is being called upon by a New Jersey Congressman to delay the extradition of former Lithuanian judge Neringa Venckiene. In an Oct. 23 statement, U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) said he strongly objects to the extradition notice recently issued against Venckiene, who exposed a child sex trafficking ring involving Lithuanian government officials, and lived in Crystal Lake with her son after escaping to the U.S. in 2013.

A week after the Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal on Venckiene's challenge to an extradition request from the Lithuanian government, Smith said an "injustice is being committed," and fears Venckiene's life may be in danger and that she will "be again railroaded by a corrupt ‘justice’ system in Lithuania," according to the statement.

Related:

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• U.S. Won't Stop Extradition Of Lithuanian Judge Afraid For Life

Venckiene, who is being held at a Chicago correctional center, is being extradited while waiting for an asylum case hearing, now postponed until 2022, a move Smith said is "effectively denying her the ability to demonstrate the merits of her asylum claim." Smith is calling on federal prosecutors for a delay to therefore allow the former judge "her day in court."

>> Read Rep. Smith's full statement