By Dorothy Musyoka
A Nairobi High Court has denied bail to Antoine Kassiss, a Lebanese national wanted by the United States over serious narcoterrorism and money laundering charges.
The decision, delivered by Hon. Justice Alexander Muteti, marks a significant step in the enforcement of Kenya’s obligations under international law.
Kassiss was apprehended in Nairobi following a warrant issued by a U.S. court.
The United States had formally requested his extradition, prompting the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to file Miscellaneous Application No. E1025 of 2025 before Hon. Magistrate Benmark Ekhubi at the Milimani Law Courts.
“The United States, through an official extradition request to the Republic of Kenya, is seeking the arrest and extradition of Antoine Kassiss to the U.S. to face charges of conspiracy to commit narcoterrorism and money laundering,” explained the ODPP.
The DPP, represented by prosecutors Vincent Monda and Victor Owiti, successfully opposed Kassiss’s application for bail pending extradition.
In March, Magistrate Ekhubi found that the extradition request met all legal thresholds under Kenya’s Extradition (Contiguous and Foreign Countries) Act, and granted the order for Kassiss’s extradition.
Though Kassiss had earlier consented to be repatriated, he later moved to the High Court seeking to be released on bond as he awaited extradition.
“During the hearing of the application, Kassiss consented to be repatriated to the United States. However, he moved to the high court with a request to be released on bond pending extradition,” stated the ODPP.
Justice Muteti dismissed this application, citing the seriousness of the charges and the importance of upholding judicial cooperation in combating transnational crime.
The court affirmed that extradition proceedings are not to be treated like ordinary criminal trials where bond is a right, especially where the risk of flight is high and the offences alleged are grave.
The DPP has since confirmed that Kassiss will be extradited to the United States on 21st May 2025 to face charges related to conspiracy to commit narcoterrorism and money laundering.