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With Cuba and the U.S. normalizing relations for the first time in over half a century, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has called for Cuba to extradite the FBI’s most wanted woman.

Gov. Christie sent a letter to President Obama about Joanne Chesimard, known to many as Assata Shakur. The 67-year-old was allegedly involved in the killing of a New Jersey trooper in 1973. Shakur was sentenced to life in prison, but has since maintained her innocence. Her ties to the Black Panther Party and Black Liberation Party led her to break out of prison and head to Cuba, where Fidel Castro welcomed her with political asylum.

Shakur was also accused of robbery, kidnapping, and assault between 1973 and 1977. She was later acquitted for the robbery charge in Queens, and the rest of her charges were dismissed. She released an autobiography in 1987 detailing her life’s work, and arguing the demise of revolutionary groups came at the hands of the government. Shakur was labeled a hero in Cuba and even called herself a “20th century escaped slave.”

In 2013, the FBI placed Shakur on the “Most Wanted Terrorist List” with a $2 million reward, making her the first woman ever on the list.

In a letter to Obama, Christie demands Shakur’s return and points out that he doesn’t agree with the president’s move to be friendly with Cuba.

Cuba’s provision of safe harbor to Chesimard by providing political asylum to a convicted cop killer, and her ability to elude justice, is an affront to every resident of our state, our country, and in particular, the men and women of the New Jersey State Police, who have tirelessly tried to bring this killer back to justice. I urge you to demand the immediate return of Chesimard before any further consideration of restoration of diplomatic relations with the Cuban Government.

Obama hasn’t yet responded.

Check out the full letter here.

SOURCE: BuzzFeed | VIDEO CREDIT: News Inc. 

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