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UK court drops extradition case against Rwandan spy chief UK court drops extradition case against Rwandan spy chief
(about 5 hours 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.”
Related: Rwanda complains after spy chief is held in London over alleged war crimesRelated: 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],” said the official.
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. Senior District Judge Riddle discharged the case after advice from the prosecutors, said a spokesman for the Crown Prosecution Service.
“This was a complex case and we have worked swiftly to consider the UK law against the conduct alleged by the Spanish authorities in the [European arrest warrant],” said the spokesman.
“After careful consideration we do not believe an extradition offence can be established under UK law. The main reason is that the relevant laws on the conduct alleged in this case do not cover the acts of non-UK nationals or residents abroad.
“We felt it important to bring our findings to the attention of the District Judge as soon as possible in order to allow him to make a decision ahead of the full hearing scheduled for September.”
Karake’s defence team included Cherie Booth, the wife of Tony Blair, who is an adviser on governance to Kagame.
Agence France-Presse and Reuters contributed to this reportAgence France-Presse and Reuters contributed to this report