DUNN’s DEATH TEST DIPLOMATIC PRIVILEGE.

The right to immunity from prosecution,  “afforded” to family members of diplomats, will be questioned when the case, involving death of Motorcyclist Harry Dunn 19, against the wife of an American intelligence officer begins in the United Kingdom next year.

Dunn was killed while riding his motorcycle, allegedly by a car driven by American, Anne Sacoolas 42, outside RAF Croughton Northamptonshire, where her husband Jonathan worked. The accident occured on August 27th this year, following which, Mrs. Sacoolas fled the UK claiming diplomatic immunity.

Since the accident, the victim’s family vowed to get justice. His mom, Charlotte Charles, and other family members, were very emotional when informed that the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), would be proceeding to charge Mrs. Sacoolas and is seeking her extradition from the USA back to the UK, to stand trial. During an interview with Sky News, Charles said she would never have rested properly ever after, if she had not carried out that promise she made, the night she lost him, which was to seek justice”.

Leading up to this turn of events, Harry’s family were told that there was just about a one percent chance of charges being laid against the American. However, they remained hopeful and got the answer they longed for. His dad said it was justice, “it doesn’t matter what happens now, we got what we wanted”.

The American State Department issued a statement which read; “At the time of the crash, Mrs Saccolas had status that conferred diplomatic immunities” . It further went on to state, “The foreign secretary stated the same in Parliament, and it is the position of the United States government, that a request to extradite an individual under these circumstances would be an egregious abuse”. The parents of Harry Dunn, refused an offer made by US President Donald J. Trump, to meet with Mrs. Sacoolas at the US White House last October.

The UK Foreign Office has urged Mrs. Sacoolas to return to the UK and cooperate with officials. In an official statement, Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab stated, “A review into the immunity arrangements at Croughton for US personnel and their families had concluded. It found that it was an “anomaly” that family members had “greater protection from UK criminal jurisdiction than the officers themselves”. Raab went on to state, “he welcomed the decision to charge Mrs Sacoolas”.

If found guilty, Mrs. Sacoolas faces up to 14 years in prison.