Fayad Freed after Prague Decides Not to Extradite Him to U.S.

The Czech Republic's justice minister has decided that a Lebanese national cannot be extradited to the United States to face weapons charges, a Prague official said on Thursday.

Prague's Municipal Court allowed the extradition in September but the minister, Robert Pelikan, has the final say and said "no" Thursday.

The Lebanese suspect, Ali Taan Fayad, and two citizens of Ivory Coast were arrested in Prague 2014 while allegedly trying to sell weapons to undercover U.S. law enforcement agents posing as leftist rebels from Colombia's FARC organization.

Court spokeswoman Marketa Puci said Fayad and an Ivory Coast man were released following the minister's decision.

The announcement came hours after five Czechs who went missing in Lebanon in July boarded a flight in Beirut back to their homeland.

Czech officials declined to comment Thursday on media speculation that Fayad was exchanged for the Czechs.

The Czech men were freed late Monday and handed over to Lebanon's General Security agency.

Their release appeared to be tied to Fayad's detention in Prague, with a Lebanese security official telling AFP: "The release of the five Czechs... is the final part of an exchange deal, (that) includes the release of the Lebanese detainee in Prague, Ali Taan Fayad."

Another Lebanese security source, also speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity, confirmed the deal.

The five Czechs and their local driver -- Fayad's brother -- disappeared in mid-July. Their car was found later in the Kefraya region of eastern Lebanon's Bekaa Valley.

Fayad's defense lawyer was also among the Czech group that was abducted in Lebanon.

Y.R.