French ‘stepfather’ of abandoned children to remain in custody despite extradition request

The French ‘stepfather’ of two little boys found abandoned near Alcácer do Sal will remain in custody in Portugal for the time being – despite agreeing to be surrendered to French authorities under a European Arrest Warrant.

The Court of Appeal of Évora ruled today that the 55-year-old French national will only be extradited once his detention is no longer required for ongoing criminal proceedings in Portugal.

According to a statement issued by Portugal’s High Council for the Judiciary (CSM), the suspect appeared before the Évora Court of Appeal in connection with a European Arrest Warrant issued by French authorities.

The man, Marc Ballabriga, who is currently being held in pre-trial detention under the case being investigated by the Setúbal Judicial Court, told judges he accepted being transferred to France.

However, the court ruled that the extradition will only take place when “detention of the requested person is no longer required” for Portuguese proceedings.

The court also stated that execution of the European Arrest Warrant will be limited to offences allegedly committed outside Portuguese territory. No further details were provided regarding the French investigation that led to the warrant being issued.

This case attracted widespread attention last month after two French brothers, aged three and five, were found extremely upset and alone near the EN253 road at Monte Novo do Sul, between Comporta and Alcácer do Sal.

The children were discovered by a man who has since been hailed a hero.

The boys told their rescuer that their mother had blindfolded them and said they were going to play a game before leaving them and driving away with her partner.

The children’s 41-year-old mother and her 55-year-old partner were arrested by the GNR some days later, and both were subsequently placed in pre-trial detention, for child abandonment offences, and, in Ballabriga’s case, aggravated assault.

The children have returned to France and are in the care of social services in Colmar, their hometown, ahead of finding a more permanent solution for them (hopefully, adoption) .

The case continues to be investigated by Portuguese judicial authorities while French prosecutors pursue separate proceedings under the European Arrest Warrant.

Source: LUSA

Natasha Donn

Journalist for the Portugal Resident.