Now, a UK judge has quashed the Home Office’s decision to extradite Diogo Santos Coelho. The 25-year-old Portuguese international will not be traveling to the U.S. This ruling is particularly timely as concerns about Coelho’s mental health and the circumstances of his alleged crimes continue to raise troubling questions.
Diogo Santos Coelho is in legal trouble over his purported role as the administrator of RaidForums. This particular hacking forum has been linked to multiple data breaches and instances of fraud. Beginning at only 14, Coelho was subject to online grooming and exploitation from older adults. This frustrating experience prompted him to start a now infamous website. Both Portugal and the United States have asked for Coelho’s extradition. Yet, contrary to all odds, he has over and over again demonstrated a willingness to deeply go back once again to Portugal and confront justice.
The Home Office opposed the request for extradition from the U.S. at first. They thought that all victims of Coelho’s alleged offenses were in the United States. As we now know, the true victim in this crime was none other than the Portuguese state itself.
Throughout the judicial review proceedings, Mr. Justice Linden found that former Home Secretary James Cleverly was wrong to do so. In short, he should have looked at Coelho’s representations when making the extradition decision. This failure had an outsized impact on the judge’s ultimate decision.
Coelho’s legal defence, headed by Ben Cooper KC, made clear that Portugal as a country has the capacity to deal with the charges brought against him. They contended in this case the extradition request to Portugal should have been prioritized given Coelho’s history and context.
“This is a case where the accused’s home country of Portugal is well-equipped to deal with its citizen for the totality of the conduct alleged by the US and more. Our client already consented to his extradition to Portugal. We are pleased that the court recognised the importance of ensuring the minister has both accurate information and considers relevant evidence before reaching such an important decision that will determine our vulnerable client’s fate.” – Ben Cooper KC
From the start of the legal process with the arrest of Coelho, mental health issues have been a major focus. Please note that he’s been rated as being at very high risk for suicide. He is afraid for his life if detained in the U.S., where he does not have family support.
This new opportunity means that Coelho is now able to speak directly with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood. Here’s his case why Portugal’s request should be first in line ahead of the United States’.
“My position has always been clear and has never changed: I have consented to extradition to Portugal, my home country, and I am fully prepared to face the justice system there. I have never tried to evade responsibility, only to be treated with fairness and humanity. This decision has lifted a tremendous weight and I hope the home secretary will now respect the court’s clear judgment and allow this to happen.” – Diogo Santos Coelho
In his ruling, Judge Linden pointed to the significance of Coelho’s mental health issues.
Coelho’s case underscores serious issues at the intersection of mental health, online exploitation, and international legal proceedings. This recent judgment can finally bring him to justice in his own country. He will no longer have to suffer from the prospect of a serious harmful incident occurring overseas.
“The fact that the claimant has been diagnosed with autism and has other issues with his mental health, and the risk of suicide, are also an important part of the circumstances.” – Mr Justice Linden
Coelho’s case highlights critical concerns surrounding mental health, online exploitation, and international legal processes. With this recent judgment, he may finally see a path toward facing justice in his home country rather than being subjected to a potentially dangerous situation abroad.