ISLAMABAD — An American CIA contractor facing murder charges in Pakistan has been released after the payment of "blood money" to the relatives of the victims, local media reported Wednesday.
Pakistani law allows murder suspects to be set free if they compensate the heirs of their victims.
Along with the two men killed by Raymond Allen Davis in the eastern city of Lahore, a third Pakistani was killed when struck by a U.S. car rushing to aid the American on Jan. 27.
The United States had protested the detention of Davis, saying he has protected status from prosecution.
The case has severely strained the relationship between the U.S. and Pakistan, whose alliance is considered a critical part of ending the war in Afghanistan. Washington insists Davis was acting in self-defense against robbers. The Pakistani government, fearful of public backlash, has yet to make a determination on whether Davis has immunity and said the matter is up to the courts.
U.S. officials initially described Davis as a consulate or embassy employee, but have since said on condition of anonymity that he was doing security work in Pakistan as a contractor for the CIA. They have said this does not make any difference to his right to diplomatic immunity.
Last month, President Barack Obama referred to him as "our diplomat" and demanded he be freed.
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