My name is John Knock, and I am a citizen of the United States. I was arrested in Paris, France April 17,1996 on an arrest warrant from the United States. The charges were for conspiracy to import, and distribute marijuana from 1980 to 1997, and Money Laundering from 1980 to 1996. This is the only time I have been charged and it was non-violent.
I fought extradition from France for three years on the grounds that the American Laws are incompatible with International Human Rights Standards, and that the American Department of Justice would not comply with The Extradition Treaty.
I was extradited in January of 1999 with the Stipulations that I would not be charged with the Marijuana offence before January 1987, and no Money Laundering charges before December 10, 1987. The United States Government agreed to these Stipulations.
Upon arriving in the United States, I was reindicted (Superseding Indictment) on the charges that the French Government had Refused to Extradite me for.
I was tried and convicted in May 2000. I was sentenced to Life in Prison January 2001.
I have appealed to the Circuit Courts and The Supreme Court of the United States. I have been denied by the U.S. Courts.
The action by the French Government and the United States government has caused a de facto nullification of the laws covering Extradition of the Governments involved. This action deprives the Extraditee the Human Rights Protection provided under the Treaty of Extraditions signed March 10, 1927 and February 12,1970.