British diplomats intervened for Adebolajo’s release by Kenya police

A lawyer says British diplomats recommended that a British man detained in Kenya 2 ½ years ago on suspicion of attempting to join Islamic fighters in Somalia be freed. He was let go and last week allegedly helped butcher a British soldier on the streets of London.

Wycliffe Makasembo who represented suspect Michael Adebolajo when he was arrested in Kenya on Nov. 21, 2010, said Thursday a letter from the British High Commission in Nairobi recommended that he be released since there was no tangible evidence to link him to a crime. Makasembo said he saw the letter in court, although a reporter could not find it in court records this week.

Adebolajo is a key suspect in the killing of off-duty soldier Lee Rigby, 25.

– AP