Former Soldier Appears in Court Over Extradition Request
A former British soldier, Robert Purkiss, has appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court as proceedings begin to extradite him to Kenya, where he faces a murder charge. The case concerns the death of Agnes Wanjiru, a 21-year-old Kenyan woman whose body was discovered in 2012 near a British army base.
Purkiss, who is 38 and originally from Greater Manchester, was arrested on Thursday night. During Friday's hearing, he formally stated his intention to contest the extradition to Kenya.
A Cold Case Reopened
The legal action follows the issuance of an arrest warrant for Purkiss by a court in Nairobi in September. Kenyan prosecutors have informed the court that Purkiss faces a single count of murder and that their government is actively seeking his transfer.
Agnes Wanjiru, a hairdresser and mother to a baby daughter, vanished after a night out. Her body was found two months later in the grounds of the hotel where she was last seen alive. For nearly a decade, no one was arrested or charged in connection with her death.
A fresh police investigation was launched in Kenya after a 2021 report by the Sunday Times, which involved the newspaper approaching several current and former soldiers from the regiment. This new inquiry led to the recent developments.
Military Background and Jurisdiction
Robert Purkiss previously served as a medic with the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, the infantry regiment for the north-west of England. His service included tours of Afghanistan.
The investigation is being led by Kenyan detectives. Under a bilateral defence agreement between the UK and Kenya, Kenya retains jurisdiction for crimes of this nature committed within its territory.
