Rep. Ryan pushes for extradition compliance from Brazil

Staff report

WARREN

U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th, introduced legislation Tuesday to encourage Brazil to comply with the 1961 U.S.-Brazil extradition treaty.

The legislation is an attempt to bring Claudia Hoerig to Trumbull County to stand trial in the March 12, 2007, murder of her husband, Karl Hoerig.

The treaty provides for extradition of any people accused or convicted of a crime carrying a jail sentence of one year or more. In 1988, Brazil amended its constitution to prohibit extradition of Brazilian citizens.

The legislation would eliminate about $14 million in annual U.S. assistance to Brazil until the country amends its constitution to comply with the extradition treaty.

Ryan also will introduce legislation that would prevent immigration of any Brazilian nationals to the U.S. until Brazil comes into compliance with the treaty.

“It is shameful that Claudia Hoerig has managed to remain on the run from justice for over four years after killing her husband in cold blood,” Ryan said in a statement.

“It’s not as if we don’t know where Hoerig is hiding — immediately after she killed her husband, she fled to her home country of Brazil. But due to Brazil’s constitution, Brazil will not comply with its own extradition treaty with America and return Hoerig for trial,” Ryan said.

“This [proposed] legislation ensures that we do not award Brazil another dime in foreign aid while it continues to ignore its extradition treaty with the U.S.”