Wife of former Palau president released after arrest in Saipan over Texas charges

Christa Toribiong, the wife of former Palau president Johnson Toribiong, was arrested at Saipan International Airport on Monday due to criminal charges from Texas, including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. She was released less than a day later. The arrest warrant for Toribiong was issued on August 29. However, local authorities stated that Texas would not extradite her, as she did not violate any laws in the Northern Mariana Islands. Toribiong has been involved in legal disputes regarding her status in Palau, where she was previously labeled an undesirable alien. She claims this designation violated her rights under the Compact of Free Association with the United States.