French court rules American man detained after 'So I raped you' Facebook message can be extradited

Source: Associated Press

French court rules American man detained after ‘So I raped you’ Facebook message can be extradited

BY NICOLAS VAUX-MONTAGNY AND MARYCLAIRE DALE
Updated 12:32 PM EDT, July 8, 2024

LYON, France (AP) — A French court ruled on Monday that the American man accused of sexually assaulting a Pennsylvania college student in 2013 and later sending her a Facebook message that said, “So I raped you,” can be extradited to the United States.

Ian Cleary, 31, of Saratoga, California, was detained in April in the city of Metz in northeastern France after a three-year search. He has been held in custody pending extradition proceedings since his arrest.

The Court of Appeal in Metz said that Cleary can be extradited. When asked if he wished to be extradited or not, in line with French law, Cleary refused, prosecutors said in a statement Monday. His refusal may delay the extradition process, but it won’t stop it.

The ruling is final. Cleary’s case is now the responsibility of the French Justice Ministry, which must prepare and submit the extradition order for the French prime minister. While he awaits the prime minister’s signature, Cleary remains detained in France.

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Read more: https://apnews.com/article/france-court-us-extradition-campus-rape-pennsylvania-ef5ac8066b56b35f3016ccd47612f122