Rwandan intelligence chief Karenzi Karake released on bail in London
Rwanda’s intelligence chief Karenzi Karake has been released on bail of 1 million pounds in London.
Karenzi Karake was detained at Heathrow Airport on Saturday, in line with a European Arrest Warrant.
The Rwandan spy chief was arrested in the UK over alleged war crimes.
According to BBC, Karenzi had travelled to London to meet the head of MI6.
Gen Karake appeared in court on Thursday wearing a green and yellow jumpsuit. He has been held since Saturday at Belmarsh high security prison in east London.
Lawyers acting for him, including Cherie Booth QC, made it clear they believe the charges against him are politically motivated.
Gen Karake is accused by Spain of ordering massacres in Rwanda in the wake of the 1994 Genocide.
He cannot leave Britain and must report to the police daily and live either at the high commissioner’s home or in a house rented by the Rwandan embassy.
Hundreds of Rwandan protestors marched to the British embassy in the capital Kigali, demanding Karake’s release ahead of his court appearance.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame launched a furious attack on Western countries on Thursday during an address to parliament after the arrest in Britain of the country’s head of intelligence.
President Kagame attributed the arrest to quote “Absolute arrogance and contempt” adding that the British must have mistaken General Karake for an illegal immigrant, since they treat all Africans like illegal immigrants.
The furious Rwandan leader argued that Black people have become targets for shooting practice by western powers, a situation that is unacceptable.
President Kagame claims that the real intention behind General Karake’s arrest was an attempt at changing the Rwandan genocide narrative, to absolve western nations of any responsilibity for abetting the mass killings.
He however fell short of saying what exact steps his government would take in retaliation over his intelligence chief’s arrest.