Germany to extradite key suspect in slaying of British university student

A key suspect in the slaying of a British university student will be extradited to Italy.

Photo: Germany to extradite key suspect in slaying of British university student

Rudy Hermann Guede, a native of Ivory Coast, is wanted in connection with the sexual assault and fatal stabbing of 21-year-old Meredith Kercher, who was found dead in her Perugia apartment Nov. 2.

Guede was arrested in Germany two weeks ago after police caught him riding a tram without a ticket. Two other suspects, Kercher's American housemate Amanda Marie Knox and Knox's then-boyfriend, Italian Raffaele Sollecito, remain jailed in Italy in connection with the case.

Prosecutors in the southwestern German city of Koblenz agreed Monday to turn Guede over to Italy.

"The extradition can take place as soon as Italian authorities agree to a date for the hand-over," prosecutor Norbert Weise said in a statement.

Italian authorities say DNA tests confirm Guede had sex with the victim on the night of the slaying.

Guede's lawyer, Walter Biscotti, said he did not know when his client would be turned over to Italy. He said Guede's father was on his way to Germany with two defense lawyers, and would meet with the his son Tuesday.

Biscotti has said Guede acknowledged he was in Kercher's room the night she died but said he didn't kill her and that an Italian who is trying to frame him did.

Another lawyer for Guede, Vittorio Lombardo, told state radio RAI that his client would be able to identify the killer. Lombardo, who was about to leave for Germany to meet with Guede, did not say who the alleged killer was.

Asked if he would show Guede a photo of Sollecito, Lombardo replied: "Absolutely not. That's the magistrates' job."