A Lebanese national accused of narcoterrorism and money laundering will remain in custody after the High Court in Nairobi declined his application for bail.
In a statement on Monday, May 13, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) said Antoine Kassiss who is wanted in the United States had moved to the High Court seeking to be released on bond pending his extradition.Â
However, according to the ODPP, Justice Alexander Muteti rejected the plea and directed that the extradition order issued earlier be enforced.
"Antoine Kassiss, suspected of involvement in narcoterrorism and money laundering, had filed an application in court seeking to be released on bail.
"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," the statement read.
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The extradition proceedings began in March after the DPP filed a miscellaneous application opposing Kassiss’ release, citing the seriousness of the charges and the risk of flight.
Despite initially consenting to be repatriated to the United States, Kassiss later sought bail, prompting the hearing before Justice Muteti.
"The DPP filed Miscellaneous Application No. E1025 of 2025 on 18th March 2025, before Hon. Magistrate Benmark Ekhubi, who granted the extradition order despite opposition.
"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. Hon. Justice Alexander Muteti declined the request and directed that the extradition order be enforced," the statement added.
Earlier, Magistrate Ekhubi ruled that the application by Kenyan authorities met the legal threshold under the Extradition Act.
Kassiss was arrested in Nairobi pursuant to a warrant issued by a US court; his extradition is now scheduled for May 21, 2025.
