"The Mind's Eye" - Picard's offer to Kell

[Ragitsu]

DATA: I have narrowed the list of possibilities to two people. The only two people who were with Commander La Forge all three times a transmission was recorded. Captain Picard and Ambassador Kell. One of them may be concealing an E-band transmitter. If they would agree to be searched
KELL: I am a Klingon. An emissary of the High Council. I will not be submit to being searched by you or anyone else on this ship.
VAGH: I am forced to agree, Captain. We will take the Ambassador with us and search him ourselves.
KELL: Captain, I believe it to be in all best interests if I remain on board. I formally request asylum.
PICARD: I will certainly grant you asylum, when you have been absolved of this crime.

Picard's response was somewhat amusing (in a "just desserts" kind of way), but was his decision "right"? Is that how asylum works ?

 

[danellis]

Asylum's to protect people from being prejudiced against on matters of religious, political, or moral freedom, they're not a "get out of jail free" card.

Kell first tried using diplomatic immunity to escape justice (to avoid being searched by Starfleet). when that didn't work he tried asking for asylum to escape justice (to avoid being searched by the his own people).

dJE