LONDON (AP) – A Rwandan military general who heads the country’s intelligence service refused to be extradited to Spain at a hearing Thursday in a London court, setting the stage for a prolonged legal fight.
Emmanuel Karenzi Karake is accused by Spain of war crimes. He was arrested at Heathrow Airport on Saturday by British police acting on a European warrant.
Judge Quentin Purdy said a full extradition hearing would be held starting on Oct. 29. The judge granted Karake conditional bail and said he would be released from police custody after meeting several court-ordered conditions, including posting bail of 1 million pounds ($1.57 million).
In Rwanda, President Paul Kagame told parliament the charges against Karake were a sign of “absolute contempt” and arrogance by Western countries. He said British officials had ignored Karake’s diplomatic immunity. He condemned Britain, which is Rwanda’s biggest development partner.
“You really help me, you support my development but at the same you despise me? You hold me in contempt? This level of disdain is just unacceptable,” he said.