Raymond Davis a CIA Contractor Released From Pakistani Jail

Raymond Davis a CIA Contractor Released From Pakistani Jail
Raymond Davis, a former Green Beret who had become a CIA contractor, was released Wednesday shortly after charged with murder in Pakistan. The government said the families of the three victims had forgiven Davis and the U.S. delivered “blood money.”

Some injuries to police and protestors were reported after the decision was announced.

Davis left a Lahore jail accompanied by U.S. diplomats, the Washington Post reported. Chaudhry Mushtaq, superintendent of the Kot Lakhai jail, confirmed the released. Davis, of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, left the country almost immediately on a flight to London.

Davis was arrested in Lahore after fatally shooting two Pakistanis he said were trying to rob him Jan. 27. A third Pakistan died when a U.S. Embassy vehicle rushing to help Davis ran over him.

The embassy insisted Davis was covered by diplomatic immunity, though he did not have a consular visa. A Pakistan court rejected the argument Davis was a diplomat. The embassy employee who ran over the third Pakistani victim left the country almost immediately.

Raymond Davis, 36, was alleged to have shot dead two men in the eastern city of Lahore in January following what he said was an attempted armed robbery.

The hearing of double murder case held in Kot Lakhpat Jail and additional sessions judge Yousuf Ojla was hearing the case.

‘Diyat’ or Blood money is a provision under Islamic sharia law in which compensation can be paid to relatives of those killed to secure a pardon, and is commonly used to resolve such cases in Pakistan.

Raymond Davis a CIA Contractor Released From Pakistani Jail