British court grants bail to intelligence chief

London

The arrest of Rwandan intelligence chief Karenzi Karake by the British authorities which was slammed by President Paul Kagame as “absolute arrogance” was granted bail by a British court on Thursday.

Karake, who was arrested last week at London Heathrow Airport on a Spanish-issued warrant, appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court in the British capital wearing a yellow and green jumpsuit.

Asked whether he consented to his extradition, Karake, known as "KK", replied: "I do not".

District judge Quentin Purdy said that a full extradition hearing would take place on October 29 and 30.

"I am prepared to grant you conditional bail," he said, setting the bail amount at £1.0 million ($1.6 million, 1.4 million euros) and ordering Karake to report to the police daily.

The 54-year-old general raised his clasped hands as he entered the dock, to cheers from supporters in the courtroom.

Karake's defence team included Cherie Blair, the wife of Tony Blair. The former British prime minister is an advisor on  governance to Kagame.

After the hearing, Karake was driven away in the same police van that he arrived in.

Rwandan Justice Minister Johnston Busingye told reporters outside court: "We will fulfil the conditions of the bail as soon as possible. We cannot wait to see him free."

Once the bail is paid, Karake must live either at the high commissioner's family home or in a house rented by the Rwandan embassy. A precise location was not specified publicly during the hearing.