French serial killer Charles Sobhraj released from Nepal jail following Supreme Court’s order

Kathmandu, Dec 23 (PTI) Charles Sobraj, a French national of Indian and Vietnamese parents who served 19 years in prison on charges of murder, was released from a Nepalese jail on Friday on a Supreme Court order.
Officials said Sobraj was handed over to immigration officials for processing his documents.

A joint bench of Justices Sabana Pradhan Malla and Tilak Prasad Shrestha ordered the 78-year-old’s release from jail on Wednesday.

His release was delayed by a day after immigration officials on Thursday requested a delay in his release until Friday, citing a lack of space to house him.

Sobiraj’s deportation from the central jail on Thursday was delayed by a day as the immigration department did not have a separate cell ready for him.

The Supreme Court directed the government to extradite him to the country that issued him his passport within 15 days if he is not wanted in any other case.

Nicknamed the “Bikini Killer” and “The Snake” for his skill at deception and evasion, Sobhraj has been serving life in a Kathmandu prison since 2003 for the 1975 murder of American woman Connie Jo Broncich in Nepal.

In 2014, Canadian Laurent Carrier was convicted and sentenced to a second life in prison.

Life imprisonment in Nepal is 20 years imprisonment.

The order by a division bench of the Supreme Court of Nepal came after Sobhraj filed a petition alleging that he was imprisoned beyond the prescribed period.

The law provides for the release of prisoners who have completed 75 percent of their sentences and who have shown good character during their imprisonment.

In his petition, Sobharaj had said that he had completed his jail term as per the privileges given to senior citizens of Nepal.

He said he had served 19 years of his 20-year sentence and had already been recommended for release for good behavior.

Sobharaj was spotted in a Kathmandu casino in August 2003 and arrested.

After trial he was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder.

He is linked to several murders of backpackers. PTI SBP ZH AKJ VM VM