A former public schoolboy and self-styled “Lord of War” may escape extradition to the United States due to lengthy government delays and concerns about his mental health.
Guy Savage, now 56, was once known for masterminding multi-million-pound shipments of M16 rifles and silencers, hidden in crates.
These activities allegedly spanned several years, with Savage overseeing the illegal export of firearms to conflict zones in the Middle East, including Iraq.
Despite his arrest in 2009 and a judge’s approval of a U.S. extradition request, Savage has remained free for over a decade.
The Arrest and Extradition Request
Savage was arrested in a dramatic operation by armed Metropolitan Police officers at his £1 million home in Pinner, north London.
The raid involved the police shooting out the tyres of his car and using stun grenades, setting off neighbours’ curtains.
At the time of his arrest, Savage was facing 21 charges, including violations of export rules and fraud.
There were allegations that weapons found at his home and business were intended for illegal use, and some reportedly ended up in Iraq and other parts of the Middle East.
The U.S. authorities had requested his extradition to face trial, with a potential 20-year jail sentence and millions in fines.
However, despite the severity of the case, the process has been stalled for years.
Savage, who was once a top executive at Sabre Defence Industries UK and U.S., has been allowed to live freely in a £650,000 home in Uxbridge, west London.
Extradition Delays and Mental Health Concerns
The delays in his extradition have been attributed to several factors, including elections, Brexit, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Savage’s lawyer, Ben Cooper, argued at Westminster Magistrates’ Court that these delays were unprecedented, and that successive home secretaries failed to act on the extradition request during their terms.
Savage’s mental health has reportedly worsened over the years, and he has used this as a reason for requesting more time to seek treatment.
Despite these delays, the U.K. Home Office has maintained that Savage requested these pauses in the proceedings due to his mental health struggles.
Chief magistrate Paul Goldspring indicated that a ruling on the case could come by the end of the month, though the process has been far from straightforward.
Savage’s Past and Alleged Activities
Savage’s ties to the world of firearms go back many years. Before his arrest, he had been an adviser to ministers on firearms policy, despite previous convictions for illegally possessing and selling prohibited rifles.
His involvement in the arms trade stretched from 2003 to 2008, during which time Iraq was in chaos with militias fighting British and American forces.
A 2004 email from Savage, found by U.S. prosecutors, revealed his involvement in supplying M16 rifles to Iraq, as he claimed his company was one of the only suppliers outside of the U.S.
Savage later referred to himself as “the Lord of War,” inspired by the 2005 film starring Nicolas Cage about an arms dealer.
However, a source close to the case revealed that Savage was operating out of north London, not a war-torn area like Afghanistan.
Savage denies the charges, arguing that the firearms at his properties were legally held, with proper export licenses.
He claims the U.S. charges are mere “regulatory offences” designed to protect American business interests, rather than serious criminal acts.
As the legal battle continues, many are watching to see whether the government’s delay and Savage’s health issues will allow him to avoid facing justice in the U.S.