Kin of Lucknow businessman meet MEA and MHA officials

LUCKNOW: The family of Lucknow businessman Nitin Mishra, who is in Albania jail since October 14, visited the ministry of external affairs (MEA) and Union home ministry in Delhi on Friday seeking intervention by the Indian government and a fair representation for him.
Nitin's elder sister Naina Mishra told TOI that they have met the officials of the MEA and home ministry and that they have been assured of action in the case."Our only plea is that it is a case of 'mistaken identity'.
My brother is innocent and only wanted to start a business of chikan garments in Albania. "We have also got an appointment with the defence minister on Saturday and are now hopeful of justice" she said.
On the other hand, UK-based lawyer Harjot Singh, who has been handling the case, said that they have prepared to serve a notice on the Albanian authorities, citing violation of the Vienna Convention in which a person cannot be detained and arrested before informing their native country.
Singh said that they have also written to the Indian officers in Albania demanding their intervention in the case. “We have also sought legal guidance from others and are drafting a letter against the American authorities in the Delhi High Court for not informing our authorities before issuing a warrant,” he said.
The lawyer said that they have got Nitin’s bank details and found that he had earned only Rs 4 lakh in the last five years. “We also found that only Rs 32,000 was present in his bank account before he left for Albania. Imagine how you can indulge in the drug trade,” he said. Nitin was arrested in the Albanian capital Tirana on October 14 on charges of drug trafficking.
The Albanian police reportedly acted in coordination with the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to arrest him. He has been remanded in police custody pending his possible extradition to the USA. The family came to know about his arrest through an Albanian English newspaper. They never got any formal communication from Albanian authorities or the police about the arrest.