Francisco Jose Franco Martinez (Franklyn Franco), who has been held in the prison at Najayo, San Cristobal, for more than seven months despite the fact that his release has been ordered on four occasions, including one from the Supreme Court, ended his seven-day hunger strike, after the Santo Domingo Court of Appeals scheduled a hearing for his case next week.
The United States has requested the extradition of Mr. Franco on several occasions since 1995 to face criminal charges which include forgery and escape from a Minnesota prison, but the Dominican Constitution prohibits such extraditions according to most legal experts.
The news media has been particularly biting in its statements that the reason Mr. Franco’s release orders have not been honored is because of pressure from the U.S. government. The hearing next week will re-examine the last release order made in a court of law last February.