Rwanda has extradited Salman Khan, an Indian man accused of ties to the terrorist organization Lashkar-i-Taiba, following an Interpol Red Notice issued by Indian authorities. Khan, who was arrested on September 9, was handed over to Indian officials and placed on a flight back to India after being briefly paraded before local media.
Lashkar-i-Taiba, designated as a terrorist group by multiple nations, is accused of radicalizing young Muslims against the Indian state. Indian authorities allege that Khan played a role in supporting the group’s activities. His arrest in Rwanda marked the beginning of swift extradition proceedings.
The case has sparked debate over the legal framework guiding extraditions between Rwanda and India, as the two nations lack a formal extradition treaty. While Rwanda’s national prosecutor emphasized the country’s commitment to not serving as a safe haven for criminals, legal experts have raised questions about the process.
Kigali-based lawyer Louis Gitinywa argued that, under international law, extradition typically requires a treaty between the involved countries. Gitinywa suggested that Khan could have been tried locally to allow Rwandan courts to assess the validity of the allegations against him.
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Despite the controversy, Rwanda’s Ministry of Justice has refrained from commenting on the specifics of Khan’s time in the country or the legal basis for his extradition. This silence has further fueled debate over the country’s adherence to international legal standards in such cases.
The extradition underscores Rwanda’s stance against harboring individuals accused of international crimes. However, it also raises questions about the balance between international cooperation and adherence to legal processes, particularly in cases lacking formal bilateral agreements.
As Khan faces legal proceedings in India, the spotlight remains on Rwanda’s role in addressing international criminal allegations and its interpretation of global legal norms
