A court in Kenya today granted bail to the suspected ringleader of an ivory smuggling gang on medical grounds, prompting angry protests from conservationists.
Kenyan national Feisal Mohammed Ali, who figured on an Interpol list of the nine most wanted suspects linked to crimes against the environment, was arrested by international police agents in Tanzania in December after fleeing Kenya and extradited to face charges in the port city of Mombasa.
Releasing Ali on a 10 million shilling (102,000 euro) bond, Magistrate Justus Kituku said he did not believe the suspect would try to flee again.
"The court hopes the accused has learnt his lesson," said Kituku. "The world is a global village. You can run but you cannot hide."
The judge's decision came after defence lawyers successfully argued that their client required medical treatment for diabetes that could not be provided while in custody. Kituku ordered Ali to hand over his passport and report to detectives weekly.
He is charged with possession of and dealing in elephant tusks weighing more than two tonnes -- equivalent to at least 114 slaughtered elephants and worth an estimated USD 4.5 million (4.2 million euros). Prosecutors allege he is a key player in the organised crime network stretching from African parks to Asian markets. Ali has denied all charges.
