Source: The Independent                              Date: 05 October, 2011

The release of a Mongolian official extradited to Germany on kidnapping charges has created tensions between Mongolia and the Britain. B. Khurts was reportedly on official business to discuss bilateral cooperation with British officials when British authorities sent him to Germany for his arrest in August.Germany last week withdrew charges against B. Khurts who had been imprisoned at Wandsworth prison.  The release came two weeks before German Chancellor Angela Merkel's official visit to Mongolia, but Germany insists her visit had no influence on its decision. German diplomats in Ulaanbaatar insist his release was based on decision by German courts.Khurt's trial was planned for 24 October. Khurts was charged with the kidnapping of D. Enkhbat, who was under suspicion for the assassination of S. Zorig. Enkhbat's children, who are German citizens, blamed Khurts for the death of their father. They claim their father's death was a result of the harsh treatment he received in Mongolian prison and the violence against him from special agents led by Khurts.The visit of Khurts was arranged by former Ambassador to Ulaanbaatar William Dickson and Mongolian officials.  However, the Foreign Office later insisted that it offered no formal invitation and Khurts had traveled without any diplomatic status. The Mongolian government fought against the extradition in London's High Court and accused British officials of entrapment.The controversy has created a rift between Mongolia and Britain. The government described Khurt's arrest as a “grave discourtesy” and officials warned that British business would be frozen out of lucrative contracts.