AUSTRALIA
news.com.au
MAY 17, 2017
Megan Neil
Australian Associated Press
The absence of an extradition treaty with the Vatican would potentially complicate matters if Cardinal George Pell is charged with abuse offences unless he returns to Australia voluntarily.
Victorian police are deciding whether to charge Australia’s most senior Catholic over historical sexual assault allegations, which Cardinal Pell has repeatedly denied.
Australian National University professor of international law Donald Rothwell believes Cardinal Pell, who has been co-operating with the police investigation, will want to return to defend himself if charged.
“I really do not think that given what we know of Cardinal Pell and given what we know of the Pope’s position on these issues that it would come to a serious legal tussle,” he told AAP on Wednesday.
“I think more than likely Cardinal Pell would want to return to Australia to mount a vigorous defence to these charges if they are brought against him.”
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