Former British soldier accused of murdering Kenyan woman appears in court

​​​​​​​By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) - A former British soldier accused of murdering a Kenyan woman more than a decade ago appeared in court Friday as extradition proceedings began, according to The Guardian newspaper.

Robert Purkiss, 38, originally from Greater Manchester, appeared before the Westminster Magistrates’ Court, where he said he intended to contest his extradition.

An arrest warrant for Purkiss was issued in September by a court in Nairobi.

The case concerns the death of Agnes Wanjiru, a 21-year-old hairdresser and mother, who disappeared after a night out in 2012 near a British army base in Nanyuki, central Kenya.

Her body was found two months later on the grounds of the hotel where she was last seen.

No one had previously been arrested or charged in connection with her death.

Prosecutors told a Kenyan court that Purkiss had been charged with a single count of murder, and the Kenyan government would seek his extradition to face trial.

Purkiss’ arrest follows a renewed police investigation launched after a 2021 report by The Sunday Times, which approached several current and former soldiers from the regiment.

The investigation has been led by detectives in Kenya, which, under a bilateral defense agreement, retains jurisdiction over the case.

Purkiss is expected to appear again in court as extradition proceedings continue.