A Brooklyn woman "dropped" battery and rape charges against Saad in exchange for an out-of-court settlement. Saad had allegedly attacked the woman in the US in 2010; she opted for the settlement in June of this year.

 

Now, her lawyer, Rifat Harb, tells Al Arabiya English that her settlement will have a positive effect on Saad's pending case in Paris, since "it was the New York case that was holding his release."

 

"My client has met with the US prosecutors in New York this week in connection with the 2010 criminal case and indictment of Mr Saad Lamjarred and the issue of his extradition to New York," Harb said.

 

"During this meeting, my client signed a waiver of prosecution, essentially asking that the criminal case be dismissed," he added.

 

This means that Saad could be released on bail until his court hearing.

 

Harb told CNN Arabic that Saad was denied bail in November in fear of fleeing the country, just like he fled from the US in 2010.