Written by Kelly Were
A Nairobi High Court has declined to release Antoine Kassiss, a Lebanese national wanted by the United States for narcoterrorism and money laundering, pending his extradition.
Justice Alexander Muteti issued the ruling following a bail application filed by Kassiss, who had initially consented to his extradition but later sought release on bond before his transfer to U.S. custody.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), represented by prosecutors Vincent Monda and Victor Owiti, strongly opposed the bail application, citing the serious nature of the charges and potential flight risk.
The United States had made an official request to Kenya seeking Kassiss’s extradition to face charges of conspiracy to commit narcoterrorism and money laundering. This request resulted in Miscellaneous Application No. E1025 of 2025, filed by the DPP on 18th March 2025 before Magistrate Benmark Ekhubi.
The magistrate, sitting at the Milimani Law Courts, ruled that the extradition request met the threshold under the Extradition Act, and subsequently ordered that Kassiss be handed over to the U.S. authorities.
The High Court has now directed that the extradition order be executed, confirming that Kassiss will remain in custody until his transfer. The DPP informed the court that the extradition is scheduled for May 21, 2025.
Kassiss was apprehended in Nairobi under a warrant issued by a U.S. court. His extradition marks a significant milestone in transnational justice cooperation and Kenya’s commitment to combating international crime.
