英国法院裁定针对安德鲁王子的搜查令违法

英国高等法院裁定，泰晤士河谷警察用于搜查安德鲁王子住所的搜查令违法并予以撤销。1 法官希利亚德宣布这一决定，同时指出搜查令被撤销不意味着调查结束或整个调查违法。1 警察部门已承认以错误的法律条款获得了这些搜查权。1

搜查行动于2024年2月19日（安德鲁王子66岁生日）进行，涉及其位于桑德林汉姆庄园的住宅和皇家小屋。1 警方对王子的搜查与其涉嫌在担任英国贸易特使期间与已定罪的儿童性虐待犯杰弗里·爱泼斯坦分享敏感信息有关。1 法院虽然撤销了搜查令，但警方可在明年申请保留已扣押的财产。1 查尔斯国王去年已剥夺了安德鲁王子的王子身份和公爵头衔。1

Britain's High Court has declared that search warrants used by Thames Valley Police in raids on former Duke of York Prince Andrew were unlawful 1. The court found that police obtained the warrants under incorrect legal provisions, leading Judge Hilliard to quash them 1. The warrants were issued on February 19, 2024, coinciding with Prince Andrew's 66th birthday, and authorized searches of his residences at Sandringham and Royal Lodge 1.

Prince Andrew had pursued judicial review challenging the lawfulness of the warrants issued against him 1. Police admitted to using the wrong legal framework to secure the search powers 1. However, Judge Hilliard clarified that the quashing of the warrants does not necessarily signal the end of the investigation or render the entire inquiry unlawful 1. Thames Valley Police may apply to retain the seized materials within the next year 1.

The raids were connected to Prince Andrew's alleged involvement with convicted child sex abuser Jeffrey Epstein 1. Prince Andrew was under investigation for allegedly sharing sensitive information with Epstein while serving as a UK trade envoy 1. King Charles previously removed Prince Andrew's royal titles and ducal rank 1.