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Githu Muigai said he expected a decision soon on
the request from a "friendly government" with which Kenya has
strong trade and industrial ties.
Some 76 Chinese nationals have been detained by Kenyan police
investigating allegations of cyber crime, operating private
radio services and being in the country illegally, their lawyers
said on Dec. 5.
"We have received requests from the government of China, which
is a friendly government, to surrender these persons to be
prosecuted for offences in China ... A decision will be made in
the very near future," Muigai told reporters in Geneva.
Any agreement would have to meet Kenya's justice standards, he
said, adding their alleged criminality involved "the security of
banking, credit cards and other operations".
"I would not be surprised if the majority of the persons
arrested were mere operatives and who probably wouldn't attract
a sentence beyond five years," he added.
"But there are major masterminds of what the Chinese government
itself has stated to be international criminal elements. And
obviously around them there would be more serious charges and
probably more severe penalties."
Muigai, speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council
earlier in the day, said Kenya had undertaken wide-ranging
reforms to improve access to justice and the rule of law.
(Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay; editing by Andrew Roche)
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