Man who fears for his life goes on hunger strike

A Belgian man has been on hunger strike ever since a magistrate ruled last week he would be extradited to his home country where he was sentenced to a 10-year jail term.

Speaking to The Times, Serge Geryl's common-law wife Kristine Vande Voorde confirmed he was refusing food because he feared that being sent to a Belgian prison would mean sending him to his death.

She said her partner's life was under threat by a gang leader who was jailed when he (Mr Geryl) exposed him to Belgian police.

"He doesn't want to go to jail because he's scared they'll kill him. There is even a document by the Police Commissioner in Belgium saying his life is in danger... The public has to know," she said.

Ms Vande Voorde was referring to a document which Mr Geryl's lawyers exhibited during his extradition proceedings in the Magistrates' Court.

Lawyers José Herrera and Edward Zammit Lewis had produced the translation of a document sent to them by the Police Commissioner of Bruges, Belgium.

In the document the commissioner said Mr Geryl's detention in the Belgium prison would "surely put his life in danger as the leader of the gang had verbally expressed his intention during a court hearing".

On October 26, Magistrate Joseph Apap Bologna ruled that he was satisfied there were enough reasons for Mr Geryl to be extradited.

After evaluating the facts of the case the magistrate ruled that it resulted there existed no bar in accordance with the law for Mr Geryl to be extradited.

The magistrate had informed Mr Geryl he would not be extradited before the expiration of seven days during which time he could appeal to the Court of Criminal Appeal.

Since the day of the ruling Mr Geryl has been detained at the Corradino Correctional Facility where he has been on hunger strike. He has appealed the magistrate's ruling and an appeal hearing is expected to take place this morning.

Police Superintendent Peter Paul Zammit and Senior Counsel to the Republic Donatella Frendo Dimech are prosecuting.