Charges against professional hunter, Theo Bronkhorst, who lead the expedition that killed the iconic lion Cecil, have been dropped by a Zimbabwean high court.
The high court has said the charges were “flawed and, therefore, should be set aside,” said lawyer Perpetua Dube.
She said the judge had ruled that the charges “did not constitute an offence.”
“It’s a great relief for Mr Bronkhorst,” said Dube.
The killing of Cecil provoked international outrage and called for a ban on trophy hunting.
Cecil was a popular attraction for visitors to the renowned Hwange National Park, and also was a part of an Oxford University research project.
Mr Bronkhorst, 53, had been charged with “failing to prevent an illegal hunt” when American trophy hunter, dentist Walter Palmer, paid $55,000 to shoot the lion with a bow and arrow in July last year.
Mr Bronkhorst denied any wrongdoing, saying he had the required permits to kill an elderly lion that was outside the national park boundaries.
Cecil had been killed outside the reserve, which is not fenced.