THE STRENGTH OF THE GROUNDS OF REVIEW
42 It is also common ground that the Court is required to form, at least, a preliminary view as to whether the grounds for review raise a serious question (Cabal (at [62])). If it were apparent that the prospects of success on the main application were low, that would be a real factor to consider in the exercise of discretion as to whether or not to grant bail. Given the serious nature of the reciprocal obligations owed under extradition treaties and the importance of such treaties to Australia, obviously weak or colourable claims would not attract a favourable exercise of the discretion to grant bail.
43 In contrast but without in any way speculating on its ultimate outcome, this application for review is extensive, comprehensive and has been carefully prepared. It raises a number of particular grounds of review based on specific provisions of the Extradition Treaty. The Extradition Treaty by virtue of s 11(1C) of the Extradition Act and the Extradition (Republic of Hungary) Regulations modifies the operation of the Extradition Act. The provisions of the Extradition Treaty, therefore, are important. For Mr Zentai it is argued that some of the provisions are fundamental in the sense that they preclude entirely, as a matter of law, the Minister exercising his jurisdiction under ss 22 and 23 of the Extradition Act.
44 In essence, Mr Zentai argues that he is not an 'extraditable person' within the meaning of s 6 of the Extradition Act, because he is not 'accused' of a war crime, his extradition having been sought by the Republic of Hungary only for the purposes of initial investigation. Accordingly, there is no lawful basis for any proceedings against him under the Act. It is argued that this ground is strongly supported by statements made by the head of the Military Division, Budapest Metropolitan Court that issued the international arrest warrant on which the Hungarian request for extradition is based.
45 It is argued that not only is this a substantial and significant ground for review but it also is a 'special circumstance'. Mr Zentai contends:
· Article 2 para 5 of the Extradition Treaty has the effect that the alleged war crime is not an 'extradition offence', which is the foundation of the request for surrender. There was therefore no jurisdictional basis for the Magistrate (under s 19 of the Extradition Act) and the Minister (under s 22 of the Extradition Act) to determine Mr Zentai's eligibility for surrender (Mr Zentai says this was an issue addressed, but not determined, in previous proceedings before the Full Court, which granted bail pending appeal);
· Article 3 para (1)(f)(ii) of the Extradition Treaty constitutes an absolute prohibition on the Attorney-General making an order to surrender Mr Zentai, because the Military Division of the relevant Hungarian court that issued a warrant for his arrest and before which he is liable to be tried (if charged) is a tribunal 'that is only occasionally, or under exceptional circumstances, authorised to try persons accused of the offence for which extradition is sought'.
· As a matter of discretion, the Attorney-General, erred in law in failing to refuse surrender (or give proper or any consideration to the refusal of surrender) on the basis of Art 3 para (2)(f) of the Extradition Treaty, namely, that in the circumstances, including the age, health and other personal circumstances of Mr Zentai, his extradition would be unjust, oppressive, incompatible with humanitarian considerations or too severe a punishment. Relevant circumstances are:
(i) The fact that he is an Australian national, to whom Australia owes obligations of primary concern and protection from unnecessarily undergoing extradition.
(ii) The effect of ongoing proceedings and imprisonment on Mr Zentai, having regard to the fact that he is 88 years of age and suffers from a serious and debilitating medical condition.
(iii) That the Minister, in discharge of Australia's international responsibilities under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights 1966 (ICCPR), cannot reasonably be satisfied that the Republic of Hungary would be able to afford Mr Zentai a fair trial, in accordance with international standards. In particular, the request for extradition is based on depositions made by persons in proceedings in the (then Communist) Hungarian Peoples' Court in the late 1940's. If tried, Mr Zentai could not, as required by Art 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights 1950 (ECHR) and Art 14 ICCPR, confront and examine witnesses as to the veracity and voluntariness of their confessions. Mr Zentai has asked whether the Hungarian prosecution authorities are able to produce for cross-examination the deponents on whose statements the Hungarian authorities would rely to found any prosecution. No such information has been provided by the Republic of Hungary, nor has the Australian Government sought any assurances as to how a fair trial can be conducted in the absence of these principal witnesses. Given that deficiency, it is said, the onus falls on the Australian Government to establish how it can surrender Mr Zentai for extradition to Hungary for investigation in Hungary if the Hungarian Government is unable to assure it that any criminal proceedings could and would be fairly conducted.
(iv) The fact that Mr Zentai may be prejudiced at any future trial on the grounds of his nationality or political opinions by reason of bias on the part of the Hungarian People's Court in 1948 when it issued a warrant for his arrest.