Indian Fishermen Convicted in Sri Lanka to be Extradited: BJP Leader Subramanian Swamy

Following days of political unrest in Tamil Nadu over the conviction of five Indian fishermen in Sri Lanka, who have been sentenced to death, BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, who had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has now claimed that the men will be extradited to India.

Swamy on Monday posted a message on social media stating that Modi had spoken to Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and that the two had agreed to transfer the fishermen to an Indian jail.

"Namo and Rajapaksa spoke on the phone yesterday&agreed to process papers & transfer 5 fishermen convicted to Indian jail. I am vindicated!," Swamy tweeted.

Sources from Rajapaksa's office told The Hindu that he had spoken to Modi on Sunday and the two leaders discussed a range of issues including the fishermen's sentence.

Several media reports also suggested that the fishermen could be transferred to India, but The Hindu reported that the final decision is yet to be taken. 

A major diplomatic controversy had broken out after a Colombo court sentenced five fishermen – Emerson, P Augustus, R Wilson, K Prasath and J Langlet – to death on 30 October after they were convicted of smuggling drugs.

The fishermen were arrested on 28 November 2011, by the Sri Lankan Navy on charges of narcotics smuggling.

The Indian High Commission in Colombo is reportedly set to file an appeal against the death sentences in the Sri Lankan apex court on Monday.