U.S. extradition request watched

U.S. extradition request watched

MANILA (AFP): Washington's request for the extradition of a
fugitive friend of President Joseph Estrada is being closely
watched by other governments as a test of the countries'
bilateral relations, a foreign department spokesman said on
Thursday.

The case of fugitive Mark Jimenez was "of vital importance
since many countries are monitoring the case closely to see if
the Philippines will honor its obligations under the
(Philippine)-U.S. extradition treaty," department spokesman
George Reyes said in a statement.

Jimenez, a businessman friend of Estrada, was last year
indicted on charges of conspiracy, tax evasion, mail fraud and
illegal campaign contributions to the Democratic Party in the
United States.

Although extradition proceedings have begun against him, the
Filipino Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that Jimenez be allowed
to obtain copies of confidential extradition documents,
effectively delaying his extradition.