WASHINGTON – The US State Department on Wednesday introduced a brand new visa restriction coverage focusing on international authorities officers and brokers who help fugitives in evading the US justice system.
The Fallon Smart coverage is known as after a 15-year-old who was killed in a hit-and-run incident in Oregon in 2016, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken mentioned within the assertion, including that the international nationwide accused of inflicting Smart’s dying fled the United States to keep away from being tried for manslaughter.
“The Department of State is committed to deterring and promoting accountability for extraordinary foreign government involvement in aiding fugitives to evade the US justice system,” Blinken mentioned within the assertion.
The Oregonian newspaper reported in 2018 that the person accused in Smart’s dying, a Saudi Arabian nationwide, doubtless fled the nation with the help of the Saudi authorities.
The State Department didn’t instantly reply to questions on whether or not the brand new coverage was aimed toward particular international locations or if anybody had but been focused beneath it.
US Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon in March mentioned he would raise his maintain on the nominee to function US ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Michael Ratney, after commitments from the State Department on revoking visas of international nationals helping these evading prosecution or fleeing the US justice system.
“Today’s announcement of the ‘Fallon Smart Policy’ enshrines in US policy the principle that there can be no room in America for foreign officials who help criminal suspects dodge the law,” Wyden mentioned on Wednesday.
“The loss of Fallon to her family and loved ones can never be erased, but this new State Department policy named for this young Portlander killed by a foreign national establishes genuine accountability for any foreign official who assists fugitives fleeing US justice.” – Reuters
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
