White House condemns Pakistan's release of militant suspect
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WEST PALM BEACH - The White House is calling the release of a US-wanted militant by Pakistan a "step in the wrong direction" for US-Pakistan relations and says a refusal to re-arrest him would have serious repercussions for bilateral ties and Pakistan's reputation.
White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement the US "strongly condemns" the release of Hafiz Saeed from house arrest. She's calling for his "immediate re-arrest and prosecution."
Sanders says the release "sends a deeply troubling message" about Pakistan's commitment to combatting terrorism.
Saeed is allegedly the founder of a banned group linked to the 2008 Mumbai, India, attack that killed 168 people. He has been designated a terrorist by the US Justice Department. The US has a $10 million reward for information leading to his arrest and conviction.
