Romanian criminals unable to be extradited because jail cells are too small

Two Romanian criminals are reportedly unable to be extradited from the UK because jail cells in the Eastern European country are too small.

UK judges have ruled that the cramped conditions are in direct contravention of rulings by the European Court of Human Rights – as the men must be allowed ‘personal space’ of three meters squared.

The men, Ionel Remus Grecu and Cosmin-Ionut Bagarea, have now been sent to open prisons, complete with smoking zones and up to ten hours of visiting time, until greater assurances for their human rights are received at the High Court.

Grecu, 42, fled to Britain to avoid being jailed for being a part of a violent burglary gang – but he is now awaiting extradition after being arrested in February last year.

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Meanwhile, Bagarea, 39, was given a suspended prison sentence in January 2012 for growing cannabis, and fled to the UK before he was arrested last September.

Delivering the verdict, Lord Justice Irwin admitted that it would be ‘highly undesirable if extradition to Romania stalls’, but added that the process would have to be halted in order to give Romanian authorities a chance to provide sufficient space.

Defending Bagarea, his half-brother admitted that the Philosophy graduate had made a fresh start in the UK.

‘Living in the UK has put him on the right path and changed his life,’ said George Munteanu.

‘He has a job at Southampton port handling people’s luggage. I think he has got legal aid. I don’t have money to help him and it is quite expensive. He came to the UK about three years ago and he likes it here. He has made a fresh start. I am sure he won’t want to go back to Romania.’