A convicted Dutch weapon smuggler has appeared in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court in connection with a request from the Netherlands for his extradition.
Guus Kouwenhoven (75) was sentenced in absentia to 19 years in prison by a Dutch court in April last year. He sold weapons to former Liberian leader Charles Taylor.
Kouwenhoven was arrested in Cape Town in December a year after Interpol issued a warrant for his arrest. Still awaiting extradition papers, the state requested a postponement.
Kouwenhoven was arrested in the upmarket suburb of Fresnaye last month.
The weapon smuggler’s conviction stems from his involvement in war crimes of former Liberian President Charles Taylor.
Kouwenhoven’s defence said they was hoping that a date for an extradition inquiry would be set during the next court appearance.
He remains out on bail of R1 million.
Kouwenhoven’s strict bail conditions have been amended from reporting to Police every two hours, to twice a day.
The matter has been remanded to February 27.
