Dear Dirty America

A retired British businessman who was extradited to the US over allegations of arms dealing has been denied bail as he awaits trial, after he was deemed to be a flight risk.

Christopher Tappin, 65, from Orpington in Kent, must remain in custody following the ruling by Judge Robert Castaneda, who was told by US prosecutors at a federal court in El Paso, Texas, that he may be a “danger to the community” if released.

Elaine Tappin said it was an outrage that her husband has been refused bail, adding that he has spent 23 hours a day locked in his cell at the Otero County detention centre in New Mexico since his extradition. 

“He’s a man of his word and is certainly not at risk of fleeing – where would he go?” she asked.

“He doesn’t have his passport or access to money. Why has the British government allowed him to be incarcerated in solitary confinement for 23 hours a day before he’s even been tried? 

The punishing treatment seems excessive. The extreme caution seems undeserved.

See Christopher Tappin plucked out of UK by US marshals