EU – Baltic States, Legislation

Previously, the Danish prosecutors had informed Misane's representatives that the Latvian woman would be turned over to South Africa this Wednesday, February 12. Misane is facing a jail term in South Africa for kidnapping her own child and other alleged offenses. On February 14, a Danish court is scheduled to rule on Misane's possible release from detention.

In Batraka's words, the Danish court's latest ruling means that Misane will be able to attend the February 14 court hearing and prevent the case from being heard in her absence. At the impending court hearing, the judge will decide if Misane has already served her sentence and should be released or if she should be sent to South Africa for standing trial there.

At the same time, a picket in Misane’s support will go ahead as planned outside the Danish embassy in Riga on Tuesday, organizers said.

As reported, Misane met a citizen of the South Africa in 2011 and they had a daughter four years later. However, conflicts began between the two parents, which were initially financially motivated. The man then unilaterally decided to end the relationship and began to abuse both Misane and the two minors in the family.

Fearing for the safety and lives of herself and her children, in Misane returned to Latvia in May 2018. In December 2018, Misane went on a business trip through Copenhagen to Mozambique, but was detained while crossing the border because she was wanted by Interpol. South Africa had told Interpol that Misane was wanted for kidnapping a minor. Now the women is facing a fifteen-year prison sentence in South Africa.

Denmark plans to extradite Latvian mother Kristine Misane to South Africa on February 12, or two days before the Danish District Court is expected to decide on possibly releasing the woman due to already having served her sentence.

According to Misane's representatives, the Danish prosecutor's office is currently "trying, by any means possible, to extradite Misane South Africa". With this in mind, Misane has started a hunger strike at her place of detention. Its purpose is to draw attention to the rights of European Union citizens, which prohibits extradition to third countries.

According to Misane's spokespersons, extradition 48 hours before the hearing is "a slap in the face for both Misane and Latvia, showing that, according to the Danish Attorney General's Office, the people of Latvia are not EU citizens whose rights must too be protected".