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| UK court drops extradition case against Rwandan spy chief | UK court drops extradition case against Rwandan spy chief |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A British court has freed Rwanda’s intelligence chief Karenzi Karake and dismissed an extradition case against him, officials said on Monday. | A British court has freed Rwanda’s intelligence chief Karenzi Karake and dismissed an extradition case against him, officials said on Monday. |
| Karake was arrested on a warrant issued by Spain in June and released on bail. Following a hearing in London, a court official said: “The case has been discharged today.” | Karake was arrested on a warrant issued by Spain in June and released on bail. Following a hearing in London, a court official said: “The case has been discharged today.” |
| Related: Rwanda complains after spy chief is held in London over alleged war crimes | Related: Rwanda complains after spy chief is held in London over alleged war crimes |
| Under the Extradition Act, cases can be dismissed if “offences specified in the [arrest] warrant are not offences under the meaning of the [act],” the official said. | Under the Extradition Act, cases can be dismissed if “offences specified in the [arrest] warrant are not offences under the meaning of the [act],” the official said. |
| A Spanish judicial source had said Karake was accused of “crimes of terrorism” linked to the killing of nine Spanish citizens in Rwanda in the 1990s. But UK police said the 54-year-old had been arrested for alleged “war crimes against civilians”. | A Spanish judicial source had said Karake was accused of “crimes of terrorism” linked to the killing of nine Spanish citizens in Rwanda in the 1990s. But UK police said the 54-year-old had been arrested for alleged “war crimes against civilians”. |
| Rwanda reacted furiously to Karake’s arrest, with President Paul Kagame saying it showed “absolute arrogance and contempt”. The African Union called for Karake’s “unconditional and immediate” release. | Rwanda reacted furiously to Karake’s arrest, with President Paul Kagame saying it showed “absolute arrogance and contempt”. The African Union called for Karake’s “unconditional and immediate” release. |
| Karake’s defence team included Cherie Blair, the wife of Tony Blair, who is an adviser on governance to Kagame. | Karake’s defence team included Cherie Blair, the wife of Tony Blair, who is an adviser on governance to Kagame. |
| Agence France-Presse and Reuters contributed to this report | Agence France-Presse and Reuters contributed to this report |