The CIA contractor arrested in January after shooting two men dead on the streets of Lahore, Pakistan, has been released, Reuters reports. Raymond Davis was indicted earlier Tuesday on murder charges, but was then acquitted and released following an agreement that had been reached to pay the victims’ families.
“The court first indicted him but the families later told court that they have accepted the blood money and they have pardoned him,” Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah told Reuters. “The court acquitted him in the murder case.”
Davis’ detainment touched off a diplomatic crisis. American officials first said Davis was an embassy worker, and have always maintained that he has diplomatic immunity. It was eventually revealed that Davis was part of a covert, C.I.A.-led team of operatives.
Read TPM’s past coverage of the Davis case here.
Eric Lach
Eric Lach is a reporter for TPM. From 2010 to 2011, he was a news writer in charge of the website’s front page. He has previously written for The Daily, NewYorker.com, GlobalPost and other publications. He can be reached at ericl(at)talkingpoitnsmemo.com
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