MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

BOT Turks and Caicos Islands former premier on the run since 2009 arrested in Brazil

Michael Misick was first elected premier in 2003 and again in 2007

The former jet-setting premier of the British Overseas Territory Turks and Caicos Islands has been arrested in Brazil after disappearing a few years ago. Michael Misick was detained last Friday at the Santos Dumont Airport in Rio de Janeiro, governor spokesman Neil Smith said.

The British government had obtained an international warrant for Misick through Interpol in March. Misick is accused of corruption, misusing public money and profiting from the sale of government-owned land to developers.

Misick has said the charges are politically motivated. He stepped down in 2009, shortly after Britain took temporary control of the territory’s government amid allegations of rampant corruption. The territory held parliamentary elections last month for the first time in three years, ending Britain’s direct rule.

Mr Smith said Britain will seek Misick’s extradition to the Turks and Caicos Islands. No further details on Misick’s arrest were available.

Misick was first elected premier in 2003 and then re-elected in 2007. He stepped down in 2009, shortly after Britain took temporary control of the local government.

There was mixed reaction to his arrest in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Some celebrated the news while others lamented it, accusing Britain of running a smear campaign against Misick and his Progressive National Party.

Party members called an emergency meeting to talk about the arrest, which comes nearly a month after the territory held parliamentary elections for the first time in three years, ending Britain’s direct rule.