Staff Reporter
KRISTOFINA Amutenya, the wife of a Namibian diplomat Petrus Haufiku, who stands accused of murdering her two daughters during December last year, might be set free if a High Court judge rules in her favour.
Amutenya was taken into custody upon her arrival at the Hosea Kutako International Airport on Monday and made a brief appearance in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday morning.
During the court proceedings her legal representative, Kadhila Amoomo informed Magistrate Venacius Alweendo that he has filed an urgent application at the Namibian High Court in which the legality of her arrest and incarceration will be strongly contested.
Amoomo informed the magistrate that Amutenya was not extradited to Namibia to stand trial for the murder of her daughters, Jenay Haufiku (9) and Jane Haufiku (3), as well as the attempted murder of her stepson.
Her legal representative further argued that the Ethiopian authorities decided not to prosecute her in the country where the double murder and attempted murder was perpetrated because she enjoyed diplomatic immunity.
Amoomo stated that local law enforcement never applied for Amutenya to be extradited to stand trial for the crimes she is accused of.
According to a statement by the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation, the Ethiopian authorities recently finalised all processes necessary to allow the repatriation of Amutenya and coordinated her return to Namibia on Monday.
Magistrate Alweendo remanded Amutenya in custody although he had no choice but to postpone the matter until such time that the way forward with the case is determined by a High Court judge that will preside over the urgent application. The application will be heard later today.
