Shrien Dewani extradition petition handed to Home Office

A petition calling for a man accused of ordering the murder of his wife in South Africa to be extradited has been handed to the Home Office.

Shrien Dewani, 31, denies any involvement in his wife Anni's death. South African authorities want him extradited to stand trial.

A judge ruled he can be extradited but the home secretary will decide this.

The petition which has 11,411 signatures, was handed to an official by Mrs Dewani's family.

Mrs Dewani, 28, from Sweden, was shot when a cab the couple were travelling in on their honeymoon was hijacked in the Gugulethu township in Cape Town last November.

Her body was later found in the abandoned car. Mr Dewani had been released unharmed.

Mr Dewani fought extradition proceedings at Belmarsh Magistrates' Court in London, arguing he is too unwell to face trial.

The care home owner, from Westbury-on-Trym in Bristol, is said to be suffering from depression and severe post-traumatic stress disorder and has been detained at a Bristol clinic.

'What happened'

He faces charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances and obstructing the administration of justice.

District Judge Howard Riddle ruled that he can be extradited.

Home Secretary Theresa May will make the final decision on whether to extradite him to South Africa.

The petition calls on her to grant the South African government's extradition request.

Speaking outside the Home Office in London, Mrs Dewani's father Vinod Hindocha, who handed in the document, said: "That's the only way we'll be able to find out what happened to my daughter.

Shrien Dewani denies any involvement in his wife's killing

"He [Shrien Dewani] is the only one who can answer those questions and he's the only one who knows what really happened to Anni.

"We really, really would like to know what happened to her."

Mziwamadoda Qwabe, 25, and Xolile Mngeni, 23, are charged with Mrs Dewani's murder, kidnapping and robbery with aggravating circumstances. They will go on trial in South Africa next year.

Taxi driver Zola Tongo, 31, from Bothasig, Cape Town, has been sentenced to 18 years in jail for murder, kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstances and perverting the course of justice.

Another petition, which has so far attracted 64 signatures, calls on the government to stop all extradition requests to South Africa.