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SWEDISH HONEYMOONER SLAYING

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Swedish bride murder suspect’s health worsens

A British man wanted in South Africa in connection with the murder of his Swedish wife, who was killed while the couple were on their honeymoon, has suffered a relapse in mental health problems, a court heard on Wednesday.

Swedish bride murder suspect's health worsens

Shrien Dewani, 33, is being treated at a hospital for depression and post-traumatic stress disorder but his lawyer said last month his condition had “improved significantly”.

Dewani’s 28-year-old Swedish-born wife Anni was shot dead when a taxi the couple were travelling in was hijacked in a township on the outskirts of Cape Town in November 2010.

Clare Montgomery, a lawyer for Dewani, told Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London that after he suffered a bad reaction, doctors had taken Dewani off the anti-anxiety medication which was most effective in treating his condition.

“We may have taken one step back having taken two steps forward,” she said.

Despite the setback, the court heard that a full extradition hearing is still expected to start on July 1st.

In view of Dewani’s condition, he has been sectioned for a further 12 months under mental health laws.

The businessman faces charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances and obstructing the administration of justice. He denies all the charges.

It emerged on Wednesday that the defence made proposals last month for Dewani to make a voluntary return to South Africa, although the details of the offer were not discussed in court.

Under the South African government’s current plans, if Dewani is extradited his mental health will be assessed when he arrives in the country.

If he is considered at risk, he will be taken to the psychiatric unit at Valkenberg pyschiatric hospital in Cape Town, before being sent to the city’s Goodwood prison.

Hugo Keith, representing the South African authorities, told the court they were happy for a defence expert to visit Valkenberg to assess its suitability.

He said he would need to take instructions on whether a similar inspection of Goodwood was possible.

Keith argued that the South African authorities would “trip over their corporate toes” to make sure that Dewani receives the right psychiatric support if he is extradited.

Chief magistrate Howard Riddle rejected a request from the defence to put back the full extradition hearing so a specific expert could visit Valkenberg in August.

“I am very, very reluctant to delay this case any further,” he said.

AFP/The Local/dl

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TRAVEL

Denmark bans travel from South Africa over new virus variant

Denmark said it is barring entry to non-Danish residents of South Africa due to fears over the spread of a new variant of the coronavirus there.

Denmark bans travel from South Africa over new virus variant
Passengers at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa, in December 2020. Photo: Siphiwe Sibeko/Reuters/Ritzau Scanpix

South Africans and other foreign nationals who reside in Denmark will be allowed to return to Denmark from South Africa under the restrictions.

Denmark has not recorded any cases of the new variant, which was detected by South African authorities in mid-December and has since been found in a number of other countries.

The South African variant and another which has emerged in Britain are said to be more infectious versions of the virus, and have prompted widespread concern. The two variants are not the same as each other.

Denmark's decision came into effect Wednesday and will last until January 17th.

“This means that foreigners residing in South Africa generally will be refused entry to Denmark during this period,” the justice ministry said in a statement late Tuesday.

The following groups from South Africa can be exempted and granted entry to Denmark:

  • Primary carers for children under the age of consent (upon documentation of a negative Covid-19 test taken within 24 hours of arrival in Denmark)
  • Family or partners to seriously ill or dying persons in Denmark (upon documentation of a negative Covid-19 test taken within 24 hours of arrival in Denmark)
  • Inward travel for the purpose of goods transport

Denmark, which is under a partial lockdown since mid-December, has almost 90 cases of the new British variant.

It has already barred entry to arrivals from Britain except for Danish nationals and permanent residents, who must present a negative virus test.

READ ALSO: Residents of Denmark returning from UK must take Covid-19 test within 24 hours of travel

Authorities said Tuesday they were toughening coronavirus restrictions and urged people to avoid social contacts.

“Stay at home as much as you can, don't meet people outside your household, those close to you,” Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said at a press conference.

 

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