A model who accused Kanye West of choking her during a recording session has told the BBC she felt she was being “suffocated” as a British court deliberates over the rapper’s extradition to the United States. The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, described the alleged attack in graphic detail, saying West placed both hands on her throat and applied pressure until she struggled to breathe. The incident is said to have occurred at a London studio in 2022, triggering a police investigation that has now reached the High Court.
West, 47, faces a US indictment for assault and battery, but his legal team argues that the case should be tried in the UK, where the alleged offence took place. However, prosecutors in California have filed a separate extradition request, claiming West fled the country to avoid justice. The High Court heard submissions this week from both sides, with the judge expected to rule within days.
The model, a 26-year-old from Manchester, told the BBC she had agreed to meet West after he contacted her via social media. She said the atmosphere turned hostile when she declined his advances. “He grabbed me by the neck, and I couldn’t breathe. It felt like my ribs were going to crack,” she said. Medics later recorded bruising on her throat, which she photographed as evidence. She said the experience left her “terrified” and unable to work for months.
West’s barrister, Sir Michael Tugendhat, argued that the extradition request was “politically motivated” and that West would not receive a fair trial in the US. He cited West’s history of mental health struggles, including a 2021 bipolar diagnosis. “My client has been vilified in the press. He believes he can be tried properly here, where the facts can be examined without prejudice,” Tugendhat told the court.
The prosecution countered that West was a flight risk, pointing to his lavish lifestyle and global influence. They also noted that West had missed previous court dates in the UK, including a hearing last month. “This is a man who believes he is above the law,” said prosecutor Harriet Johnson. “The model deserves justice, and the US must be allowed to proceed.”
The case has reignited debate about extradition law in the UK, particularly after the high-profile case of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. Human rights groups have warned that West’s case could set a precedent for wealthy celebrities to evade justice in their home countries. “There seems to be one rule for the rich and famous,” said Rachel Davies of Liberty. “Ordinary people don’t get to choose which country tries them.”
For the model, the wait has been agonising. She says she has suffered panic attacks and has been unable to model since the alleged attack. “I gave up my job, my friends, everything. I just want peace,” she said. Her lawyer, Maryam Hussain, urged the court to prioritise the victim’s needs. “This is not about celebrity; it’s about violence against women. We cannot allow the perpetrator to set the terms of his own trial.”
The High Court is expected to deliver its verdict next week. If West is extradited, he could face up to five years in prison in the US. If the case remains in the UK, he could be tried at the Old Bailey. Either way, the model says she is prepared to testify. “I will do whatever it takes,” she said. “I want him to know that I am not afraid.”
