Pakistan: CIA contractor released after '$2.34mln in blood is money paid'

Lahore, 16 March (AKI) - A Pakistani court on Wednesday freed an American CIA contractor hours after he was formally charged with two counts of murder, officials said.

Raymond Davis, 36, shot dead two men in the eastern city of Lahore on 27 January. He said he defended himself during an armed robbery.

Davis was acquitted after family members of the victims received "blood money" as compensation in accordance with sharia law, Pakistani English-language daily Dawn cited Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah as saying.

A lawyer for the families of two Pakistani men killed by an American CIA contractor says the United States paid $2.34 million in "blood money" to secure the man's release, according to an Associated Press report.

Lawyer Raja Irshad said 19 relatives appeared in court Wednesday to accept the money, the report said.

Dawn said Davis, 36, was flown out of the country following his acquittal.

United States ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter on the release of Davis said :”I wish to express my respect for Pakistan and its people, and my thanks for their commitment to building our relationship.”

The shooting strained the bonds between the United States and Pakistan after Washington tried to defend Davis by saying he was a diplomat and protected from prosecution by international law. The US later admitted that he was doing contract work for the CIA.

The US is depending on Pakistan to fight Taliban and Al-Qaeda insurgents residing within its borders.

Davis could have faced the death penalty if convicted.