An Albanian action film actor wanted in Belgium for migrant smuggling, a charge that carries a prison sentence of up to 20 years, remains in custody in Great Britain.
Sebastjan Kallabaku's extradition was approved in August 2021 and signed by then Home Secretary Priti Patel.
According to the Sunday Express, the 37-year-old applied for bail at Westminster Magistrates' Court on July 19, due to the ban pending the court battle. However, the request for release was rejected and the case was adjourned until the end of the appeal.
Kallabaku left Albania in 2017 for “political reasons” and settled in Belgium. However, he did not apply for asylum until he arrived in the UK.
Belgian authorities say he is part of a people smuggling ring and led a boat with 30 Albanians from the dutch coast to Great Britain in 2019.
Kallabaku denies the charges and says he has started a family In Great britain and therefore should not be extradited to Belgium.
According to the 2003 extradition law, once the asylum application process is complete, a person must leave the country within 10 days. However, as of July 17, 10 more extensions have been approved.
