Pakistan Authorities Release CIA Contractor Raymond Davis

A Pakistani government official announced Wednesday that authorities have released a CIA contractor who was charged with the murder of two men. Raymond Davis was freed from jail after the families of the men refused to press charges, according to a Punjab law minister Rana Sanaullah. Sanaullah confirmed the families received a monetary compensation. Details on the amount and who paid were not released.

Davis claimed he acted in self defense when he fatally shot the two Pakistani men on January 27. He was driving in an area known as Kartaba Chawk when the men approached him on a motorcycle and allegedly attempted to rob him. The U.S. Embassy stood behind Davis, saying was right in his actions because he “had every reason to believe that the armed men meant him bodily harm.” The government called for Davis’ release citing diplomatic immunity.

In a statement released Wednesday, Cameron Munter, the U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan, confirmed Davis’ release. "The families of the victims of the January 27 incident in Lahore have pardoned Raymond Davis," Munter said. "I am grateful for their generosity. I wish to express, once again, my regret for the incident and my sorrow at the suffering it caused."

It is unclear if Davis has left Pakistan.

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