Press release of the AU PSC 534th meeting on the release of Lieutenant General Emmanuel Karenzi Karake, Chief of the National Intelligence and Security Services of the Republic of Rwanda

By African Union Commission (AUC)
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ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, September 4, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 534th meeting held on 17 August 2015, adopted the following press statement on the release of Lieutenant General Emmanuel Karenzi Karake, Chief of the National Intelligence and Security Services of the Republic of Rwanda.

Council welcomed the briefing provided by the representative of the Republic of Rwanda and recalled its communiqué [PSC/PR/COMM.(DXIX)] adopted at its 519th meeting, in which it strongly condemned the arbitrary arrest of Lieutenant General Emmanuel Karenzi Karake, in London, United Kingdom (UK) on 20 June 2015, while on official visit, on the basis of an arrest warrant issued by a Spanish Judge, as well as the blatant violation of the principle of universal jurisdiction by some non-African States against African Government officials and its implications for peace and security on the continent.

Council welcomed the dismissal of the extradition request against Lieutenant General Emmanuel Karenzi Karake by the Westminster Magistrates' Court in London, following the determination by the Spanish authorities that Lieutenant General Karenzi had no case to answer.

Council expressed appreciation for the solidarity demonstrated by Member States with Rwanda, and reiterated the need to respect the sovereignty and dignity of the African Member States, as required by international law and conventions.