US Court Dismisses Robbery Charges Against Christopher Ahn in 'North Korean Embassy Raid' Case

Court Likely to Make Final Decision This Month on Whether to Extradite Mr. An to Spain

Christopher An [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] The robbery charge against Christopher Ahn, who is on trial in the United States for his involvement in the 2019 attack on the North Korean embassy in Spain, has been dismissed.

According to Voice of America (VOA) on the 3rd, the U.S. Federal District Court in Los Angeles (LA), California, dismissed the charge of "robbery involving violence and threats" against Ahn after a hearing on his extradition to Spain on the 25th of last month.

Judge Gene Rosenbluth explained the reason for dismissal, stating, "No evidence has been presented by the U.S. prosecution that property was taken for profit."

The court also rejected the U.S. prosecution's request to extradite him.

The court is expected to make a final decision on Ahn's extradition to Spain later this month.

Ahn was indicted on six charges including trespassing, unlawful confinement, threats, robbery involving violence and threats, injury, and organized crime.

With the removal of the robbery charge, which was classified as the most serious crime, only charges carrying sentences of less than one year remain.

Previously, Ahn was a member of the anti-North Korean group "Free Joseon" and participated in the February 2019 attack on the North Korean embassy in Spain.

Regarding this incident, Spanish authorities requested that the U.S. prosecution hand over Ahn to Spain under the extradition treaty between the two countries so that he could be prosecuted for robbery.

On the other hand, Ahn denies all charges and claims that the embassy attack was a "staged kidnapping" carried out to help a North Korean diplomat seek asylum at the diplomat's request.

He also expressed concern that if he is expelled from the U.S., he could be assassinated by North Korea.

Meanwhile, the court has requested both Ahn's defense attorneys and the U.S. prosecution to submit additional materials by the 4th to assist in the extradition hearing.