EU Lawmaker Azmani Urges Pressure on Sierra Leone to Extradite Fugitive Bolle Jos

European Parliamentarian Malik Azmani has called on the European Commission to increase pressure on Sierra Leone to facilitate the extradition of a convicted criminal identified as Jos Leijdekkers, arguing that allowing convicted offenders to evade justice poses a threat to security, the rule of law, and democratic institutions.

In a statement, Azmani said he had formally requested that the European Commission take stronger action to ensure the extradition process moves forward.

“We cannot accept that convicted criminals evade their punishment. That is why I have asked the European Commission to exert more pressure on Sierra Leone so that Jos L. can be extradited,” Azmani said.

The lawmaker linked the extradition issue to broader concerns about international organized crime and drug trafficking routes affecting Europe.

According to Azmani, Sierra Leone is becoming an increasingly significant transit point in the cocaine trade destined for European markets, making cooperation on criminal justice matters even more important.

“We see that Sierra Leone is becoming an increasingly important link in the cocaine trade to Europe. Precisely for this reason, it is unacceptable that convicts can escape extradition,” he stated.

Azmani argued that failure to extradite convicted offenders could weaken efforts to combat organized crime and undermine confidence in legal institutions. He warned that criminal networks pose a direct challenge to public safety and democratic governance across Europe.

“Organized crime undermines our security, our rule of law, and our democracy,” Azmani said.

The comments reflect growing concern within European political circles about transnational crime, international extradition cooperation, and the movement of illicit narcotics into Europe.

Azmani’s appeal places renewed focus on relations between the European Union and Sierra Leone, particularly regarding judicial cooperation and the enforcement of criminal convictions across borders.

The statement was made by Malik Azmani and serves as the basis for his call on the European Commission to intensify diplomatic and legal efforts aimed at securing the extradition of Jos L. from Sierra Leone to face the consequences of his conviction.