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The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) court on Monday ruled that the arrest and detention of a Venezuelan diplomat, Alex Saab, by Cape Verde was illegal.
It also said the diplomat should be released and be paid $200,000 for unlawful detention.
Mr Saab was arrested by the Cape Verdean authorities in June 2020 for alleged money laundering while on a humanitarian special mission to Iran.
Femi Falana, counsel to Mr Saab, had filed a suit at the ECOWAS court challenging the arbitrary arrest and detention of the Venezuelan diplomat.
He argued that as a diplomat, Mr Saab should have enjoyed diplomatic immunity and should not be subjected to imprisonment and legal proceedings by Cape Verde.